The Connors Chronicles: F05E09 - Old Good Steganography

7/30/2019 The Connors Chronicles: F05E09 - Old Good Steganography

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Terminator:The Connors Chronicles

"Old Good Steganography"

F05E09

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. FRESNO, ALEX'S RESIDENCE -- EVENING

The door bell RINGS. ALEX is coming down from the stairs

and 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.

FRED MIESSE enters and Alex closes the door.

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- DAY

SUPERIMPOSE: "Six Weeks Earlier"

CAMERON is sitting at the desk and dialing a number on herphone.

CAMERONToshi, do you have a big screen?

TOSHIRO (O.S.)How big? What for?

CAMERONA large HD, say sixty inches?

TOSHIROYeah, but not sure... never usedit. Have to see if I can hook itup. Al has it in his warehouse ofa collected Skynet equipment.

CAMERONAl?

TOSHIROMoss. Now to the secondquestion... What for?


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3.

CAMERONI have to check something in myfiles. As they say, the proof isin the detail.

TOSHIROWhat detail?

CAMERONNo point telling you now, I'llshow you when the screen's ready.

TOSHIROMysterious Cameron... All right,I'll get it set up later today andgive a holler.

CAMERONGreat! I am all of the sudden veryimpatient.

TOSHIROIs that a prompting?

CAMERONI'd rather be mysterious for awhile.

TOSHIROI take it as yes. I'll see what Ican do.

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

CAMERON enters the lab. TOSHIRO is grinning and gazing atthe monster screen hanging on the wall.

TOSHIROHi Cameron! Is that large enough?

CAMERONThat looks like a triple of what Ithought you'd get.

TOSHIROYeah. If you need something, gosee Al.

CAMERONWhat happened to old Moss?

TOSHIROA conversion.

CAMERONFor real?


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4.

TOSHIROYep. If you need a villain, youought to look elsewhere.

CAMERONNot... particularly keen to findone. I had my quota.

Toshiro NODS and types a command on his keyboard. The bigmonitor lits up and the desktop is now visible on it.

TOSHIROWhat now?

CAMERONLet's browse through my files.Pick some short clip and break itinto single frames and we go overit one by one.

TOSHIROOkay, freezing. What we're lookingfor? Sorry about the quality, yoursignal got a bit mangled by a dataloss.

CAMERONCan you use some selective filters?

TOSHIROYeah. What do you have in mind?

CAMERON

What's the color depth?

TOSHIROThe image or the monitor?

CAMERONThe image.

TOSHIRO16 million.

CAMERONThat would take a while... Can yougo for the defects? I mean to pickthem and filter everything elseout?

TOSHIROCameron, what you're up to? Yep,give me a sec... Here. What now?


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5.

CAMERONLet's go by hue, increase RGBvalues by one.

Toshiro pulls one set and looks at Cameron, she NODS andToshiro pulls another set. They go over a dozen.

TOSHIROAnything?

CAMERONNot making a sense, seemsmeaningless. I am missingsomething.

TOSHIROIt's just the result of a chipdamage, there's nothing--

CAMERON

Wait! Back to full frame!

TOSHIROHere. What now?

CAMERON(squinting her eyes)

Connect the same irregularitiesbetween frames.

TOSHIROOkay, but what to do with it?

CAMERONCan you project it in 3D?

TOSHIROYeah, some fiddling... a sec...here.

CAMERONPick one set, say R values, then Gvalues and then B values. Projectwith a 10 seconds pause.

Toshiro does as told and waits for Cameron.

CAMERON (CONT'D)Turn each set 90 degrees to form acube.

TOSHIROI see what you're up to! Let's trythe full frames and do the sameprocess.


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6.

Cameron NODS. Toshiro is typing fast on the keyboard forsome 20 seconds. The screen shows a cube that is a mesh ofinterconnected lines.

TOSHIRO (CONT'D)Now, let me do this...

Entirely different image appears on the screen, but it issomewhat a lower resolution, a bit blurry.

CAMERONRight! That's what I suspected,but was not sure about the method.What do you think, is it allconnected?

TOSHIROI bet it is. Cameron, you're agenius! Fractal encryption of allyour chip storage before shutdown,

that's brilliant!

CAMERONI'm a scary robot in a human body.

TOSHIROHuh?

CAMERONAn old story... Something SarahConnor's x-husband, Charlie, saidonce. I think I'm more of the oldCameron than it's generally

presumed.

TOSHIROGood or bad?

CAMERONNeither. Interesting that my brainmade a sense of it on its own.That explains the access tomemories I shouldn't have. So,maybe good, if used for noblecauses.

TOSHIROWho decides if the causes arenoble?

CAMERON(laughs)

Me, of course!

TOSHIROI'll go with that!


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7.

TOSHIRO (CONT'D)Seems like the exercise withrecalls helped you to find thispattern, too.

CAMERONProbably. The funny thing is that

when I think about myself in thecurrent form and go to the basics,I can get a vague notion that I ama sort of a hologram. A fractalpart of some larger whole.

TOSHIROThat's 'nother cup of coffee.Talked to Neal yet?

CAMERONNo, but he's on my list.

TOSHIROI think you may be very helpful inhis project. I'd skip my need totap your brain if you work withhim.

CAMERONWell, I think there is no ruleagainst sharing. If I know myself,really, I'll be all over the map.

TOSHIROYou know how to cheer one up! I'll

try to fiddle with your files tosee what I can find, if apermission's granted.

CAMERONAs long as you feed the results tome, I'll relinquish the need forprivacy.

TOSHIRONo worries. I'll be discrete. Thisis between you and me only.

END OF ACT ONE


8/48

8.

ACT TWO

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- DAY

CAMERON and JOHN are eating their lunch at a corner tablein what now is a living room--Cameron's new bed is in

John's room, John's desk is in former Cameron's room, andCameron has a desk beside John's. The "Cameron's Bed" isreplaced with a coffee table and low stools to seat 8guests if opportunity arises.

CAMERONJohn, I need to tell you something.

JOHN(smiling)

Get on with it! Don't be shy!

CAMERON

(smiling back at John)The reason I am here... it's notjust that Catherine wanted Cameronback.

JOHNYeah, at first I was a bit puzzledwhy she's so adamant.

CAMERONWell, Lauren found out that thevirus, that infected people whenyou brought my chip to Zeira, is a

Skynet code.

JOHNAnd?

CAMERONYou seem... not surprised.

JOHNWhy would I? It wasn't difficultto put it all together. Everyonevery sick but me and Allison.Mandatory screening of allnewborns for genetic registry.Catherine insisting that you haveto be a human.

Cameron does look a bit surprised, while John seems to bein his element.


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9.

JOHN (CONT'D)I've overheard fragments ofconversations between Lauren,Toshi, Les and Catherine toprovide me with some fillers.

CAMERON

You don't seem to be upset.

JOHNI figured that they didn't want toinvolve me in details foraltruistic reasons.

CAMERONAltruistic?

JOHNYeah, they probably thought Ideserve a break from all the

responsibility. They probablythought that if I get involved,everyone would expect me to be aleader again. I have to admit, Itacitly agreed.

CAMERONI was worried that you'll goballistic!

JOHNI really appreciate you wanted totell me. If there's a proof that

you are really Cameron, this is it.

CAMERONUh, thanks!

JOHNAll right, I'll tell you what Ithink I know and you tell me if Iam right or wrong, how about that?

CAMERONShoot.

JOHNCatherine invited me for a talk.With her, Toshi, Lauren, Les andMia. She outlined the CameronProject. On my suggestion to use acyborg platform, she explained whyit would be difficult, but itseemed to me that her logic waskind of... emotional, if I can usethat context.


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10.

JOHN (CONT'D)Maybe she wasn't aware of it, butI noticed her body language. Therewas nothing what would sway herfrom human Cameron. I tried someobjections, but she always foundsome sort of excuse. It was clear

that it's her choice. I had tofigure out why. It didn't clickimmediately. Okay, fast forward...

John grabbing a glass of water and drinking.

JOHN (CONT'D)So here's what I figured out.Skynet virus--something triggeredthe release and all humans gotinfected in a short span. All,except me. And Allison didn't getas sick as others. Everybody got

screened. Lauren did my test and Inoticed her excitement when shegot the results, she didn't wait asecond and excused herself thatshe forgotten a meeting withCatherine.

CAMERONShe said that?

JOHNYeah. She! Forgotten!

CAMERONThat's out of her character.

JOHNSo I took a peek at the screenwhen she was gone. It was my genemap. How I am doing so far?

CAMERONPretty good.

JOHNI know that the Brandi's vialswere the real culprit, based onthe intact vials I brought in,that Lauren later analyzed, but atthe time I didn't know. I startedto think, after the meeting withCatherine, why she needs humanCameron. There must be a seriousreason to explain her insistence.


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11.

CAMERONYou did not buy the "who knowswhat the new robot would be".

JOHNThe only possible reason, aftereliminating whatever I could come

up with, was procreation. Shewanted little Johns!

Cameron laughs. Then reacting to John's look.

CAMERONIt's just funny, the way you putit!

JOHNWell, why? With John around, insome form, Skynet never wins. Madesense when that form was me, but

if a John's needed after Skynetdefeat, it can mean only onething. Skynet propagated by othermeans, so there has to be a Johnto prevent Skynet from winning.Skynet didn't want to kill mebecause of my leadership... wellthat coincidentally too, butbecause of my genetics.

John looks at Cameron. She supports her head with foldedhands and just looks at him.

JOHN (CONT'D)What?

CAMERONYou're a fascinating man, JohnConnor.

JOHNStill on track?

Cameron NODS.

JOHN (CONT'D)My genetics and Young's geneticswould ensure that Skynet code doesnot get propagated, at least in asmall portion of humans. Catherinewins! Hmmm, haven't thought aboutthe fact that you're Cameron Young.


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12.

CAMERON(straightening up, tone ofprotest in her voice)

I'm not!

JOHNAllison's twin sister--

CAMERONSister, true, but I'm CameronConnor. I've been for a long time.

John looks at Cameron and notices her expression ofabsolute certainty.

CAMERON (CONT'D)I love you.Say it.

JOHNI... but isn't that--

CAMERONJohn. I know. But it's nice tohear it, too, every now and then.

JOHNI love you.

Cameron gets up, gets to John and gives a long hug.

JOHN (CONT'D)

Did I cover all of it?

CAMERONYes. You figured it out. All of it.

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- EVENING

CAMERON sits at her monitor and reads transcripts of theevents prior to her "birth". John is gone for a day andleft Cameron with the transcript folder open and a note"Read this". It is a difficult read, it almost feels likeCameron is reading about someone else, though she uses herfuzzy recollections to associate the events with her.

Cameron gets up and starts stretching, as if trying to pullher mind toward physical activity to reduce an overload ofinformation. She grasps the information intellectually, butthere seems to be an emotional gap to bridge.


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13.

CAMERON(to herself)

I wish I could understand thatpart.

Cameron checks the project staff roster and contactinformation. She pulls Mia's number and set it to dial on

her phone.

MIA (O.S.)Yes? John?

CAMERONNo, it's me.

MIA (O.S.)Hey! How are you? And don't tellme just "fine"! I really want toknow!

CAMERON(smiling)

I was going to say that, but thereason I'm calling is I need yourhelp.

MIA (O.S.)Do you want to talk on the phone?It's a bit ... I've got things todo for a bit.

CAMERONI was thinking to pay you a visit.

MIA (O.S.)A good... in fact a better idea.Les is wrapping up work in thenext 30 minutes. Get ready andhitch a ride with him.

CAMERONGreat, see you in a while!

EXT. DANILO'S HOUSE, BACKYARD GARDEN -- LATER

MIA and CAMERON are sitting at the garden table, facingeach other. The plates in front of them are nearly finished.

CAMERONThis' so good! You have to tell mehow to make it!

MIAI can send you a recipe, or a few.But mostly, what you need is asense ... imagination, rather.


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14.

CAMERONProbably one can get there bytrial and error.

MIA(NODS)

Let's get back to the transcripts.

Ask.

CAMERONI do understand, in a way, whatwas happening with my alter ego.

MIAAlter id.

CAMERON(laughs)

Yeah, whatever she was. Is. Up tothe point when you pulled off the

girls trick. That's completelybeyond my comprehension.

MIADid work, didn't it?

CAMERONI want to understand why.

MIAMostly intuition. Based on yourstate at that moment, I had toconsider two possibilities. Either

your mind worked on a human femaletrack or more like your formercyborg self. You needed some formof impetus that would work ineither case, to get finallyCameron taking over. Differentform of stimulus-response, sameresult. That was the goal.

CAMERONWhich one of the two was dominant?

MIABased on what I know now, and yourdiscovery of fractal encoding, thecyborg one. It was luck.

CAMERONDo you mean that if the humanelement was stronger--

MIAA female element, rather.


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15.

CAMERONAre females... human females sodifferent?

MIA(laughs)

Kind of. Nearly alien creatures

compared to males!

CAMERONBut you're a female.

MIATrue. That gives me a bit ofinsight. I'm an outlier. In theearly 21st century pop psychology,I'd be classified as sigma. An oddtype, not fitting into thestandard mold. But the labelsaren't that important. I've enough

of the normal female makeup tograsp the pattern, but it's such amild version that I am able toabstract, analyze it and see itunobscured.

CAMERONI can see... grasp how the triggerworked on the cyborg dominantpersonality. But the femaleoption, I'm at loss to put ittogether. It's incomprehensible.

MIAWe could spend days... It's not atrivial concept to explain. But Ican give you a trimmed downversion that may shed a bit oflight. We can later talk about itin more detailed analysis.

CAMERONThat be helpful.

MIALet's start with the notion thatI'll be generalizing. There'senough behavioral diversity tomake the waters muddy a bit. Butif we keep in mind that I mean themedian part of the bell curve,we're good.

CAMERON60-65%?


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16.

MIAAbout that. Comparatively, menoperate with a simpler ruleset.When you collapse the socialoverlays, what is left is a degreeof predictability. What you see iswhat you get. It's easier to

create a depth with this pattern.There is a continuum between thebasic makeup and social overlays.

Mia reaches for the glass and sips some water.

MIA (CONT'D)Women, not so. The basicconfiguration is two planes. Theprimary one comprises ofbiological imperatives. Theyaren't what you may expect. It'snearly the exact opposite of what

you may come up with when you lookat species and try to deviselogically what may work. Don't askme where it comes from. Haven'tfigured that one out yet. Thesecond layer's a rationalizationoverlay. As social creatures andoperating mostly on social proof,women need to explain away theirprimary pulls. It is a form ofcognitive dissonance, that bridgesthe basic impulses and the socialoverlays.

CAMERONSo women are basically irrational?

MIA(laughs)

That about sums it up, sis, withthe generalization caveat. We'vegot a minute left. The girls werea form of social proof, beside anattempt to force Ay to share John.It worked differently, though. Thestrong cyborg residual personalitykicked in and Ay started usinglogic instead of rationalizations.

CAMERONThe drawings in the sand.

MIAYes. I'll send you my notes.

END OF ACT TWO


17/48

17.

ACT THREE

SUPERIMPOSE: 4 WEEKS EARLIER

INT. ISOLATED HOUSE 6KM FROM ZEIRA CENTER -- LATE MORNING

Captain JACK PARKER (47), a chief of the PD Unit 9, pans

over the crime scene. His expression reveals that nothingin the scene makes sense.

PARKER(calling an officer that iscollecting samples outsidethe room)

McNeil, get Hernandez here, stat!

MCNEIL (35)(peeks in, half way acrossthe door silt)

But chief, she's still suspended!

PARKERShe's been reinstated as of now!

MCNEILWhatever you say, chief. I hopeshe's home. Should I call or hopinto a car to get her.

PARKERWhat part of stat was not clear?

MCNEIL

Right, chief. I'll tell Kelley totake over collecting samples.

PARKERThat leaves Mannsfried and Greeroutside?

MCNEILYep.

PARKERThat should be good enough. Weneed to keep a low profile on thisone, in any case. Any attentionfrom media?

MCNEILNot that I can discern any.

PARKERGood, let's keep it that way. Idon't want any circus here. Now,go get her!


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18.

MCNEILRight, chief.

INT. ISOLATED HOUSE 6KM FROM ZEIRA CENTER -- LATER

C SABINA HERNANDEZ enters the hallway of the house. Parkeris waiting for her.

HERNANDEZHey chief, I thought I'msuspended! What's the occas--

PARKERShut up! You're an insubordinatepain in the butt.

Hernandez is smiling from ear to ear and seems to bewaiting for some sort of explanation for interruption ofher routine under a suspension.

PARKER (CONT'D)I'm at my wits' end. I need you--

HERNANDEZPardon me? I haven't heard thepart after the wits' end.

PARKERYou've heard all right. I need youhere.

HERNANDEZMeans I'm reinstated?

PARKERYou're pushing your luck! Yeah,reinstated, as of now. All right,let's go in and tell me what we'redealing with.

Parker enters the crime scene and Hernandez follows.

HERNANDEZOh, my!

Hernandez circumnavigates the room in three loops--it'sunclear whether she is excited or taking a thoroughsnapshot of the crime scene.

PARKERWhat? What do you think?

HERNANDEZI've never expected--

Hernandez looks at her watch.


19/48

19.

HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)It's a lunch time. I need tothink. There's this greatrestaurant 2 blocks from here,they have excellent Europeanwieners with buns and freshlygrated horseradish.

PARKERI thought you're not much intoeating.

HERNANDEZDoesn't mean I can't be indulgent.Really, it's exquisite, you'llthank me!

PARKERYour dime?

Hernandez NODS.

PARKER (CONT'D)That must be really good if youwant to pay for my conversion.

HERNANDEZYou'll be a disciple, you'll see.

INT. GYORGY'S RESTAURANT -- LUNCH TIME

PARKER and HERNADEZ sit at a corner table, out of theearshot of other restaurant patrons. The plate in front of

Hernandez has only a small portion of the lunch item, butshe seems to be savoring it and taking her time.

PARKERSometimes, I have to admit, youknow the stuff. This is reallygood!

HERNANDEZ(smiling)

I know I do. It's heavenly,there's not other way to describeit.

PARKEREternally grateful. Now, tell mewhat do you think about the crimescene.

HERNANDEZThis isn't an ordinary murder.


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20.

PARKERI did figure out it can't be asuicide.

HERNANDEZDon't be coy, Jack. That it's amurder's obvious even to a cursory

observer. But what isn't soobvious is that this is anexecution.

PARKERHow... Why do you think so?

HERNANDEZThe scene has all the hallmarks ofan execution. Not only the removalof the power unit, but the chipsmashed to smithereens... it's notnecessary unless someone wanted to

send a message.

PARKERThat's the part that did not makeany sense to me. The chip can besimply burned by thermite, toerase the owner for good.

HERNANDEZRight. This meant to be found andseen, as an example to someothers. Any signs of mediaattention?

PARKERNo. Decided to keep this under awrap until we know what this allmeans.

HERNANDEZWho reported it?

PARKERHer name is Savedge. A coworker.She had enough wits not to contactanyone outside of our department.

HERNANDEZA C?

Parker NODS.

PARKERHe was missing for two days atwork, so she decided to pay avisit.


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21.

HERNANDEZI think we need to keep her on asuspect list, which I think may bevery short at the moment. Who washe?

PARKER

A Zeira employee. As is Savedge.His last name is Martin.

HERNANDEZDo you want me--

PARKERYes. Zeira being involved is a bit... a delicate matter. You canfind more clues than anyone elsein that environment.

HERNANDEZ

It may be a dead trail, though.But what's clear is that theexecutioner was a cyborg. A humancouldn't do it the exact way. Youneed to have a serious armstrength to reach in and tear outthe power unit.

PARKERThought so too, but we should makesure that there's no otherpossibility.

HERNANDEZA human? Theoretically, it'spossible, I can imagine how thiscould be done by using some sortenhancement sleeve, if that'ssomething available in Skynetinventory. But the specifics of itdon't bring any doubts. A cyborgdid it. I'll point out the tellswhen we get back.

PARKERSabi, I was thinking... Can I comeover ton--

HERNANDEZ(interrupting)

Absolutely not! I told youalready. I'm not ready for this.Not now!

PARKERIs that a maybe?


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22.

HERNANDEZI... don't know. I have to sortthings out in my mind. Iunderstand you, why, in a way. Itdoes make a sense. But I don'tknow how to deal with it. Considerthat my experience does not go

past three years.

Parker NODS. They are both quiet for a few seconds.

HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)Would you still suspend me if--

PARKERYou betcha!

Hernandez burst into a laugh so loud that she is attractingattention from restaurant patrons. Hernandez realizes thestares and lowers her head not as a sign of shame, but as a

situational, defusion device.

HERNANDEZWe better go back.

Hernandez places money on a tray and they both get up atthe same time and leave the restaurant premises.

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CATHERINE'S OFFICE --LATE AFTERNOON

CATHERINE puts a mini cup of coffee in front of HERNANDEZ.

CATHERINE

I hope you like it. It's unusualto hear a request such as thisfrom your kind.

HERNANDEZI'm an odd duck. Flavors, smells,degustations are my hobby.

CATHERINEThis' the best coffee in the town.

HERNANDEZMoss?

CATHERINEYou've heard.

HERNANDEZThere are rumors about the nectaravailable to privileged Zeirans.


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23.

CATHERINEProbably next year it should beavailable to the wider public.

HERNANDEZAny way I can get a preferredaccess?

CATHERINEI see what I can do. I wish Icould give you more information,but there was nothingextraordinary about Martin.

HERNANDEZI hope Savedge can shed somelight. You said that there's asupervisor, what was his name--

CATHERINE

Mr. Tuck. I can arrange a meetingwith him tomorrow, He's returningfrom Fresno tonight.

HERNANDEZHe was there for how long?

CATHERINEFour days. Procuring someequipment for the lab he manages.

HERNANDEZIf it's not a privileged

information, this lab where Martinwas working, what's the nature--

CATHERINEGenetic research. Cloning. Tissuesreproduction, for both human andcyborg medical use.

HERNANDEZAny drugs involved?

CATHERINEYes, but the drugs are only usefulas catalysts for tissuereproduction. Nothing that wouldlead to a substance abuse.

HERNANDEZI can't make heads and tails ofit. What do you think was thereason? I mean you have some ideas?


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24.

CATHERINEIt's completely unclear to me whywould someone murder Martin, andby an execution style, at that.I'll contact my security and youcan liaison with them, if thatwould be helpful.

HERNANDEZThanks, it might help, one neverknows. We don't have much to go byat this time, anything that mayreveal some sort of connectionwould be better than no leads.

CATHERINEPlease call anytime tomorrow toarrange a meeting with Mr. Tuck.As for Savedge--

HERNANDEZI'll do an interview with hertomorrow as well.

CATHERINEWhat time?

HERNANDEZTen AM. I'll probably need no morethan an hour for Savedge, soeleven AM meeting with Mr. Tuck.

CATHERINE

Consider it arranged.

HERNANDEZA favor... I've heard that CameronConnor is here at the facility,Can I meet her before I leave?

CATHERINEIs it related to the case?

HERNANDEZNo, not at all! I just wanted...she's a legend. Just wanted to ...shake her hand.

CATHERINELet me see... she's just finishingher program at C wing's lab, ifyou walk fast, you would meet herat the central corridor, in 3minutes.

END OF ACT THREE


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25.

ACT FOUR

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CENTRAL CORRIDOR

HERNANDEZ spots CAMERON approaching and walks into her path.

HERNANDEZ

Cameron Connor! Sorry for runninginto you, but wanted to thank you.

CAMERONDo I know you?

HERNANDEZNo, I'm quite brand new, as theysay, but I've heard a lot aboutyou. I just wanted to shake yourhand.

CAMERON

(smiling)There's no harm in that. Butthanking me... what for?

HERNANDEZFor your bravery in defeat ofSkynet.

CAMERONI think you're attributing me abigger share than it really was.

Cameron stretches her hand and Hernandez takes it and

shakes it. But then Hernandez does not let go and seems tobe in a state of confusion.

CAMERON (CONT'D)What's the matter? Are you okay?

HERNANDEZYou're human.

CAMERONYes.

HERNANDEZBut I've heard... I thought--

CAMERONI was.

HERNANDEZBut how... I don't understand!


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26.

CAMERONA miracle of modern medicine. Idid die as a cyborg, but weregiven a second lease in a humanbody. I'm still a cyborg in part.

HERNANDEZ

That's amazing! I wouldn't ...seems impossible. I'm justsurprised I haven't heard about it.

CAMERONIt's not really a secret. But Isuppose that no one really talksabout it outside Zeira circle.

HERNANDEZI'm so glad I've met you... andthank you! You've been aninspiration. I don't want to take

any more of your time--

CAMERONNo problem. You're welcome.

HERNANDEZCan I ask... Can I meet yousometimes? I'd like to hear aboutthe times of war first hand, I'mkind of a history buff.

CAMERONSure. You have a phone on you?

Hernandez hands her phone to Cameron and Cameron keys inher number.

HERNANDEZThank you so much! I'll call yousometimes.

INT. JACK PARKER'S HOUSE -- NIGHT

A doorbell RINGS and PARKER goes to the front door. Helooks a the monitor and sees HERNANDEZ standing outside. Heopens the door quickly, as if trying to ascertain that hissenses are not deceiving him.

PARKERSabi, what on earth are you doinghere? I though you said not now!

HERNANDEZJack, I need to talk to someoneand you came on the top of thelist.


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HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)I... this day... everything isupside down.

PARKERCome in. Not sure what you'retalking about. Can you backtrack a

bit?

HERNANDEZI left Zeira an hour ago. I wentto a park and sat on a bench forthe whole time before now,confused as hell.

Parker decides to give Hernandez a hug. She does seem toappreciate it.

HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)(as if explaining)

It feels good.

Parker releases her and goes to his cupboard and pulls abottle of whiskey.

HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)A thimbleful for me too. I likethe taste.

Parker hands her the glass and sits on a couch besideHernandez.

PARKER

Well, tell me what's bugging you.

HERNANDEZDid you know that Cameron Connoris human?

PARKERDo cyborgs have a fever? I'll goget a thermometer.

HERNANDEZI am serious. I met her at Zeira.Shook her hand and couldn'tbelieve it. Her pulse andtissues... all human.

PARKERThat does not add up. You must bemistaken. She's a cyborg.

HERNANDEZNo, she's human.


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PARKERHold on.

Parker gets up and takes his phone from the counter, thendials a number for PD Records.

PARKER (CONT'D)

Hines, sorry to bother you, butneed a record from the governmentregistry, to verify a status.

HINES (O.S.)Name?

PARKERCameron Connor.

HINES (O.S.)That's simple, C.

PARKERNo, I want you to actually accessthe record and tell me what itreads.

HINES (O.S.)Give me a sec.

PARKERTake your time.

Parker pours a little bit more whiskey into his glass,waiting.

HINES (O.S.)Chief?

PARKERYes?

HINES (O.S.)It says H. But that must be amistake.

PARKERApparently not. Put a lid on it,okay?

HINES (O.S.)You're asking for a miracle! Allright, I suppose you've got a verygood reason for keeping it underwraps.

Parker ends the call and turns to Hernandez.


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PARKERSabi, she's human. You were right.

HERNANDEZIf she can be human, so can I.

PARKER

You don't know that. There mayhave been special circumstances.Until we know more, I think thatraising your hopes may not be agood idea.

HERNANDEZIf it's possible, then it'spossible. Maybe not now, but theboundary has been crossed. I canwait, if it takes ten years.

Parker does not respond.

HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)Jack, do you want me to go?

PARKERWhat made you say that? No, ofcourse not!

Hernandez gets up and approaches Parker and wraps her armsaround his waist.

HERNANDEZThis means so much to me.

PARKERSabi, believe me, I know.

HERNANDEZJack, it's not me, really. I didnot want to complicate your life.I was worried how people wouldregard you, despite the fact thatit was your wife that left you.The apprehension's gone now. Westill need to be very privateabout us, though, until there's achance that leopard can change herspots.

Hernandez suddenly gets tense.

PARKERWhat?

HERNANDEZI just got a hunch.


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30.

HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)There's a connection. Cameron'shuman form. With Martin's case.I'm not sure yet what that may beexactly, but what I'm sure ofthere is one.

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- EVENING

CAMERON and JOHN are finishing off their dinner.

CAMERONJohn, I want to go home. I think Iam ready. It really doesn't makemuch difference, you're here 7days a week, 24 hours. We may aswell be home.

JOHNA good point. I'll talk to the

team, and if there're noobjections... even if there are,you're right. Let me right now--

John gets his phone and enters a code for an eveningmeeting with the team.

JOHN (CONT'D)I'll keep it short and sweet.There are a few bags in thecloset, so pack everything. I'llbe back in... maybe half an hour.

CAMERON(snaps to)

Yes sir, general!

JOHNAt ease. A retired general. Youlook like a member of Pajamas Army!

Cameron laughs and smoothes out her "uniform".

CAMERONHow do I look now?

JOHNClothes aren't my field. You couldwear anything! Or not.

CAMERON(smiling)

He's not into packaging...

JOHNMe--basically--caveman!


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CAMERONPlease come back soon. It would belike after the war.

JOHNWe're not going to Bear Creek.We've got a house not that far

from Zeira. Moss was fixing it forme... I've been doing some finalfixes when you were at Mia's.

CAMERONIt's fine. Probably better fortime being. As long as there'ssome greenery around--

JOHNWouldn't take it if there wasn't abit of it. Okay, I'll be back assoon as I can.

CAMERONYou think everyone's still here?

JOHNA good bet. Ziera's workaholicsanonymous. Les may go to get Mia,but that's 15 minutes affair.

CAMERONGood luck!

JOHN

Almost forgotten. There's a box inthe back of the closet. It hasyour clothes that I took with mefrom our Bear Creek house.

CAMERONJohn, you could have told me.

JOHNSorry. Clothes simply aren't on mypriority list.

CAMERONThat kind of caveman!

JOHNForgiven?

CAMERONYes, already. I'm not that kind ofwoman!

END OF ACT FOUR


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ACT FIVE

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

CATHERINE, TOSHIRO, LAUREN, LES and JOHN sit around aconference table. MIA's presence is only virtual, on ascreen to the left of the table.

CATHERINEJohn, I thought it's somethingvery urgent.

JOHNReally, it is. The hospitalenvironment is starting to get toher. She feels like in a niceprison. It's nice, but still acage. We need to get on with ourlives.

CATHERINELauren, what's your opinion? IsCameron ready?

LAURENI like that we can monitor Cameron24 hours. It has been a short timeto be certain there won't be anyproblems. But I guess we're at theborderline, and new problems maystart to appear if we keep Cameronchained here.

CATHERINEWhat do you suggest?

TOSHIROI'm working with Lauren on amonitoring system. We're reallyclose, but not there yet. We needfour weeks to wrap it up.

CATHERINEToshi?

LAURENAs Toshi was saying, four weeks,then I'd have no objections. I'dsay Cameron's ready, but we doneed to have something in place tomonitor her vitals, just to be onthe safe side.

CATHERINEJohn?


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JOHNYou're right. Haven't thought ofit. I'll go along. But four weeksand not a day more.

CATHERINEToshi, Lauren?

LAURENFour weeks and not a day more.

Toshi NODS.

CATHERINEAll right. Make it happen.

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- LATER

JOHN enters and CAMERON looks at his face.

CAMERONDid not go well.

JOHNHalf way. I've got four weeks.

CAMERONAround four weeks?

JOHNNo, exactly four weeks. Mark thecalendar if you want.

CAMERONThought we'd be... okay, somethingto look forward to. I can livewith that.

JOHNFor now it's still 5 klicksradius, your unwieldy bracelet andme or anyone from the group withyou.

CAMERONPity that the library's outsidethe limit. I like to run myfingers through real paper pages.

JOHNBut we can start patronizing localvenues, can't we?

CAMERONNothing in this verse can stop us!


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INT. ZEIRA CENTER, ANNEX G, VISITORS ROOM -- MORNING

HERNANDEZ is looking intently at SAVEDGE'S face, as iftrying to pierce through her nearly blank expression.

SAVEDGEHe was a dear friend.

HERNANDEZWas that all your relationship--

SAVEDGEWe weren't intimate, if that'swhat you're asking. You're acyborg, so you know that's not...it's unusual.

HERNANDEZYou probably need to get out more.

Savedge looks at Hernandez with a puzzled look.

SAVEDGEWhat do you mean?

HERNANDEZNever mind. Intimate relationshipsare in cyborgs' capacity.

SAVEDGEWell, we weren't.

HERNANDEZ

Do you know if he was involvedwith anyone, or a group, outsideZeira's circle of people?

SAVEDGENot that I know of. He was ratherto himself. Not much a social type.

HERNANDEZLike yourself?

SAVEDGE(a hint of a smirk appearedon Savedge's face for afraction of a second)

Why do you have the need to fit meinto your preconceptions?

HERNANDEZNo such a thing. I'm aninvestigator. I've got a goodreason for asking specificquestions. It's a part of my job.


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35.

SAVEDGEAll right. I apologize.

HERNANDEZNo need. I were just explaining.Can you describe Martin's dailyroutine? As far as you are aware

of it.

SAVEDGENot much to tell. Work. Onoccasion, we went together to alibrary, to see a movie, or aplay. About twice a month. Thatcovers his social life as far as Iknow.

HERNANDEZAnd beyond that?

SAVEDGEHe spent most of the time here, atwork. Often stayed overnight,almost every second day.

HERNANDEZYou?

Savedge shakes her head no.

SAVEDGEI like to have time for myself. Ilove to read. I can't do it here.

I mean, it's inappropriate. Aplace of work, a place for play.It's separate.

HERNANDEZDid he express some form ofpolitical views?

SAVEDGEI can't say he did in a directfashion.

HERNANDEZIndirectly?

SAVEDGEFragments that I picked fromcontexts. Nothing I can piecetogether as something coherent.

HERNANDEZCould you give me some examples?


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36.

SAVEDGENot sure... One thing that heformulated was his dislike of theintegration process of cyborgterritories. He thought of it asshameful.

HERNANDEZIn what way?

SAVEDGEOnce he described it as sellingout to the devil.

HERNANDEZHe did say that?

SAVEDGEYes. I considered it a bit ...over the board metaphor. He had

his turns of phrase, sometimesquite unusual word combinations.

HERNANDEZWhat did you think when you foundhim?

SAVEDGEI was shocked. I can't imagine whysomeone would do such a thing.

HERNANDEZWho do you think may have done it?

What was your impression?

SAVEDGERather what may have done it.

HERNANDEZNot sure why you corrected me.

SAVEDGENot a human. But not a cyborgeither. Not my or your kind ofcyborg. Our internal compassdoesn't allow it.

Hernandez looks at her watch.

SAVEDGE (CONT'D)I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

HERNANDEZYou've been more helpful than youthink.


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HERNANDEZ (CONT'D)One last question, please indulgeme, it's rather unusual and onlyloosely related to the case. Whatdo you think of Cameron Connor'stransformation?

SAVEDGEYou know? It's not a secret, butit's not widely known.

HERNANDEZI met her yesterday.

SAVEDGEI see. It was the only way to gether back.

HERNANDEZBecause it's Weaver's opinion?

SAVEDGENo. I saw her chip. The damage wasextreme. There was not much bodyleft. It was possible to make alook-alike cyborg, but not CameronConnor. She's... was not like weare. She's unique.

HERNANDEZIn what way?

SAVEDGE

John Henry--

HERNANDEZYou know John Henry?

SAVEDGE(NODS)

He says it's like she has a s...an extra dimension.

HERNANDEZThat's very interesting. Well,time's up, I've got anotherinterview. Thank you very much. Ifyou remember anything we've notdiscussed, please let me know.

Hernandez hands her calling card to Savedge.

SAVEDGEIf I remember, I will. I'd like tosee the justice done. I'll missMartin.


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INT. ZEIRA CENTER, ANNEX G, VISITORS ROOM -- LATER

TUCK looks like he is trying to remember something.HERNANDEZ lets Tuck to do most of the talking.

TUCKI could always rely on him. Like a

rock. Solid. He helped pullSavedge through at the beginningof the program.

HERNANDEZShe had problems?

TUCKYes. It may sound strange to you,but cyborgs have sometimespsychological issues.

HERNANDEZ

(smiles)I'm no stranger to it. It'sjust... she seems to be verystable. Well rounded.

TUCKYes, she's good, she's been forquite a while. I really don't knowabout Martin's activities outsidethe work environment. Now I wish Iwere more attentive and curious.The whole thing is a puzzle to me.Have you talked to security yet?

HERNANDEZNot yet. They're on my list. I'mwaiting for forensics to give memore data and thus more insights.

TUCKYes, I can understand.

HERNANDEZDo you know John Henry?

TUCKMet him twice. He's too...esoteric for my taste. But Savedgekeeps in touch with him.

HERNANDEZYes, she told me. Well, thank youfor your time. If you recallsomething, you've got my number.

END OF ACT FIVE


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ACT SIX

SUPERIMPOSE: "TWO DAYS EARLIER"

EXT. FRESNO, RESISTANCE PARK -- EVENING

ALEXEI puts the half eaten sandwich in a basket and gets

closer to TAWNY. He gives her a kiss on the left cheek, butstays closer and whispers.

ALEXEITell you the truth this spybusiness gives me creeps. Ithought you were making it up.Look 3 o'clock, but try not toappear as you're really looking.The man with sunglasses andwindbreaker.

TAWNY

You don't have to whisper, hecan't really hears us. And Ithough the kiss was genuine!

ALEXEIIt was! I used it as cover. I'mnot sure which came first.

TAWNYFamous chicken and an egg problem.You're right, he's tailing us.You've said 3 o'clock.

ALEXEIMy father was a soldier. He taughtme a thing or two.

TAWNYRight. Wish I knew him. He musthave been a good man.

ALEXEIWhat do we do?

TAWNYWhat do I know?

ALEXEIYou work for spooks.

TAWNYThey forgotten to tell me. Let'sjust pretend we don't know, butkeep a track of him every now andthen. You can finish yoursandwich.


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40.

Tawny looks at her watch.

TAWNY (CONT'D)We've got to go soon. I should behome at 9.

ALEXEI

But he would be on us. Maybe weshould wait him out.

TAWNYYou won't be recipient of Alex'sspeech. I would. It's likeTorquemada on steroids.

Tawny looks like she's thinking.

TAWNY (CONT'D)We go backward, toward the northend. There's a creek between us.

We can use the tree patch to sliponto the back alley and he has togo around. We'll lose him, go twoblocks south and then back up andfrom the back alley. It's extra 20minutes, so we should pack and go.

SUPERIMPOSE: "Present time"

EXT. FRESNO, RESISTANCE PARK -- EVENING

ALEKSEI gets closer to TAWNY and gives her a kiss.

TAWNYThe tail again?

ALEXSEI(laughs)

Great! Now I can't kiss youwithout you being suspicioussomeone's watching us! No, he didnot show up tonight. Not yet, sofar.

TAWNYMaybe we lost him the last time.Why would he tail us?

ALEXEIDid you tell Alex?

Tawny is shaking her head no.


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ALEXEI (CONT'D)I think you need to tell her.

TAWNYAnd I don't get to go out. Notacceptable.

ALEXEIWhy? Why would she not let you out?

TAWNYShe worries too much. Let's liedown for a while and watch thesunset. Help me to get the blanketover there on that slope.

INT. FRESNO, ALEX'S RESIDENCE -- EVENING

Alex leads Miesse to the living room and offers a chair.

Miesse NODS.

MIESSEThank you.

ALEXSo, what brings... First, how didyou find me.

MIESSETailing Moss, Alexei, Tawny.

ALEX

If anything happens to Tawny, Iswear I skin--

MIESSEFollowed her myself. Nothing willhappen to her. I just wanted tofind you.

ALEXYou better be sure. All right,spill the beans.

MIESSEI've got involved in something...and it scares bejesus out of me. Ihate politics. All I wanted is agood, easy life. Someoneapproached me with an offer and Igot blinded. Greedy. I wish I canfind a way out. Maybe you canhelp. I hope.


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42.

ALEXIs it about your hoard?

Miesse NODS.

ALEX (CONT'D)Let's start at the beginning...

Coffee?

MIESSEYes, please.

ALEXGive me 3 minutes. Don't goANYWHERE!

Miesse NODS.

Alex returns with a steaming cup.

ALEX (CONT'D)Okay, the offer you couldn'trefuse... Hold on.. Where's Tawny?

MIESSEHaven't been following hertonight, I just wanted to makesure she's out before coming here.Didn't want to freak her out andyou, as a result.

ALEXHope her delay is caused by

romantic circumstances.

MIESSEI think that may be the case. Theyare into each other and time--

ALEXLet's get back to your predicament.

MIESSEHere's how it started...

The front door opens.

ALEXTawny... Fred, a couple of minutes.

MIESSESure. I'm in no hurry.

Alex catches Tawny closing the door.


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ALEXTawny, go get Aleksei before hedisappears.

Tawny is standing and not apparently understanding what sheis to do.

ALEX (CONT'D)Just go get him, I need a wordwith him.

Tawny runs out and in 20 seconds she's back with Alexei.

ALEX (CONT'D)Let's skip the introduction.Alexei, are you working tomorrow?

ALEXEINo ma'am, every second Saturday.

ALEXCan you be here tomorrow morning,say 9:30?

ALEXEIYes.

ALEXGood, now go home before your auntstarts to worry. Good night.

TAWNYGood nigh. Alexei!

ALEKSEIGood night, see you in the morning.

TAWNYAlex, what's up? I'm sorry forbeing late, we--

ALEXDon't worry, can happen every nowand then. I want you to meetsomeone.

Alex goes to the living room and Tawny follows. She noticesthe man on a chair and stops in her tracks.

TAWNYAlex, that's the man who's beenfollowing us! What... what's goingon?


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ALEXThis is Fred Miesse. You knowhim... his data from the dossier.He... needs our help.

MIESSETawny, nice to meet you.

TAWNYI...

MIESSEI think you're upset. I justwanted to find your mom.

TAWNYSorry, I'm a bit disoriented...I'll be okay. Likewise, Mr. Miesse.

ALEX

Tawny, I think it may be better ifyou get ready for bed. We'll talkin the morning.

TAWNYYes, a good idea. Good night Alex.Good night Mr. Miesse.

Tawny leaves the living room and heads to her room in theback of the house.

Alex sits down, taking Miesse's cup and hers from a trayand placing them in front of Miesse and her.

ALEXHoping for no more distractions.Where were we?

MIESSEA few months back I met this manin a grocery store. He apparentlyknew of my banking habits.

ALEXThat's what you call it? You'vegot a warped sense of humor!

MIESSE(wry smile)

Glad someone appreciates it.Turned out this man was a C.

ALEXA cyborg?


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MIESSERight. His name was Martin.

ALEXMartin? From Zeira?

MIESSE

(NODS)Yep, that one.

ALEXOh god! I'm starting to get apicture. Please continue.

MIESSEHe was willing to facilitateliquidation of my assets, providedthat I agree with a sizable cutfor his CLF outlet and subscribeto their agenda.

ALEXCLF?

MIESSECyborg Liberation Front.

ALEXLiberation from whom?

MIESSEI wondered that too. Then itdowned on me that they mean Skynet.

ALEXI... Makes no sense.

MIESSEThat's what I thought. Let meexplain how I get information. Itgives you some idea why I knowwhat I know.

ALEXGo ahead.

MIESSEI pose as a writer. In exchangefor a small fee, I ask people tocollect rumors. In their minds,it's absolutely innocent activity,and they gladly provide juicy bitsfor the sake of creative input. Ihave my collectors all over theplace. Even at Zeira, government,you name it.


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46.

MIESSE (CONT'D)It sometimes takes time topercolate, but I get my dataeventually.

Miesse takes a sip from his cup.

MIESSE (CONT'D)A week ago, I've got the info onMartin's execution.

ALEXMurder.

MIESSESee, I've got already a betterinfo than you. Execution. It wasdone as a warning to people in theknow. No, not for my benefit.Something internal to CLF.

ALEXYou did not explain their Skynetfix--

MIESSEI've got a hard time believingthat you don't know. We're theSkynet now. Humans. You know that,right? Right.

ALEXHow the hell this got out?

MIESSERumors. And some hard data thatsupported the notion. Don't worry,beside CLF and me, it's just aconspiracy theory with notracking. I may not know all thedetails, but I've got the overallpicture. So does CLF. Now, Martinwas a decent C. He may have beendeluded and a nut job as Cs go,but I had no fear in dealing withhim. With his execution, that allchanged. I've never been so scaredin my life.

ALEXDo you think CLF knows about yourdealings with Martin?


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47.

MIESSEMaybe not the details, but I'msure of it, yeah. Why else wouldthey turn my house upside down?

ALEXWhat about the gold?

MIESSEI transferred almost all of it toanother location not long afterI've met Martin. Better be surethan sorry. But it now seems thatall the gold in the world can'thelp me if the CLF gets theirhands on me.

ALEXFred, I've got to ask you...you've made sure that you weren't

tailed.

MIESSEYes. I wouldn't have come here ifI had a smidgen of indication thatI compromised you. In my own bestinterest.

ALEXI'll take your word for it. Weneed to figure out what to do.Some place to go to... to crash?

MIESSENothing comes to mind.

ALEXI've got a small unused room inthe basement. Using it as astorage, but can make it habitablefor time being. I'm stressing thetime being, it's a temporaryarrangement. We need to find somemore secure place for you and youalone. The gold... is it wellhidden?

MIESSEYes. Do you want to--

ALEXNo, not now. We deal with itlater, I just want to be sure CLFdoes not get a hold of it, to fundtheir agenda, whatever that is.


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48.

MIESSEI'm starting to get a bit woozy,not much sleep for the past 3 days.

ALEXRight. I've got already my headbig enough for tonight. Let's go

downstairs, you'll help me withthe stuff, if you still up to it.

MIESSEYeah, not an issue, just mythoughts are starting to get a bitincoherent.

ALEXTendency to bad dreams, anysleepwalking or such?

MIESSE

No. I suspect that tonight I'll beclose to comatose.

ALEXGood. Okay, basic house rules.There's a corner shower in theroom, and a toilet, so the basicamenities are taken a care of. Youneed to stay there and not leavethe room, until we figure out ournext move. You'll get food.

MIESSE

Coffee? Is that Moss?

ALEXCoffee yes. Moss no. That's onlyfor special occasions. Turn yourhead left. Now Right. Okay, don'tshave. You need to gain weight,some, and padding would help too.I've got a picture of you 10 yearsolder and looking quite different.We'll work on it.

MIESSEI'm grateful.

ALEXIt won't be cheap, I can promiseyou that. Now let's go get yourabode ready

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The Connors Chronicles: F05E09 - Old Good Steganography