Here is the thirteenth installment of Terminator – The Sarah Connor Chronicles fanfic that picks up where the second season finale left off. As I mentioned before, I was so enthusiastic about the possibilities presented when the season ended that I just had to keep it going regardless of what happens with the suits at FOX.
The first thing you’ll probably notice is that I changed the name of the series to Terminator: The Connor Wars. I think that more accurately conveys what this project will cover as well as it being a lot easier to say.
As I disclaim on the title page, this is just meant to be a bit of fannish fun in the long spirit of the various fan communities. I’m not intending to step on any toes.
Sharper Than a Terminator’s Truth
Well, it’s the mid-season climax episode. If this was a television episode, it would be the one just before the Holiday break in December/January. Y’all have been patiently waiting for the last of the original main characters to make an appearance. And enough said about that.
When you get right down to it, it’s sort of amazing how little we know of our characters’ lives.
A personal note: I’m going to take a few days off following the posting of this just to recharge (though I’ll still post blog/comment/forum stuff). This might not change the scheduled release of the next episode, but then again it might delay it for a few days. Since I haven’t taken a break since after episode 6, I’m going to indulge myself before I start the stretch to the season finale. Thank you for understanding.
(With the size it is, and if it didn’t do it automagically, the PDF seems to read easier if you zoom to 66.7% and then scroll the text horizontally so it’s centered.)
Previous episode: F0312 – “In Memory of Qin Shi Huang”
Next episode: F0314 – “That Stands For Pool”
Oh, and before I get emails about this. The PDF file I generated has the setting to allow people to print out the script turned off. If you are having trouble with the plug-in, click here.
Wow. That made for a great ending to my Friday night! It’s rather interesting, I understand everything you’ve said previously about the wrap-ups at the end of the thirteenth episode and pay-offs – this lacked all the grit and tension of the previous episodes but had so much resolution to counter – a completely different kind of feeling to the others but equally as enjoyable. Now we’ve had the pay-off of the build up from all way back from the beginning it feels like you’re about ready to rapidly launch off to the final destination now with the last 9 episodes. The case of Brandi and Savannah now being the major mystery at hand.
What was bizarre was my unintentional selection of music while reading. I had a track from the modern Doctor Who series playing (action based with a dramatic buildup) while reading the beginning with her chip being inserted and eye lighting up. Then somehow Blade Runner “Tears in the Rain” was fading out just as I was finishing the last sentences at the end. It was… very auspicious
Man, you’re making a terrific job with your fanfic!
I loved the initial part, with Cameron and Sarah. I’ve read with increasing interest the Brandi & Savannah situations, perhaps the first has left some of her humanity inside?
Also, man, how I love Allison’ character!
I hope nothing bad she’ll happens to her but I’m afraid she’ll be able to fully comprehend John’s behavior.. maybe if she would agree to talk to him. 
And I also enjoyed the John/Cameron confrontation.
@TheSqonk – I’ve long been of the belief that without diminuendos you cannot appreciate the crescendos (and vice-versa). Although I’ve set up the pattern of jumping between the storylines, that wouldn’t have worked here. It would have distracted from where the focus was: John and Cameron. Similarly, the B-stories couldn’t be jarringly different because they, too, would distract from John and Cameron.
But, as you say, even though there wasn’t grit and tension, their lack only served to enhance your focus. It’s like when a score you hadn’t noticed suddenly goes silent and everything suddenly has more gravitas. Writing and music share a lot of commonality.
@kirirur – Thanks. As much as the plot matters, I try hard to create characters and relations that resonate. I feeling is that you can have a poor plot but great characters and still have something watchable; but if you have a great plot and weak characters, you get a disappointed audience most of the time.
Oh. I want to mention something: Cameron is back whole and complete. No hidden John Henry subroutines. No mystery code inserted by Weaver or anyone else. THIS IS TCW CANON. She’s Cameron…she has enough problems of her own that I don’t have to add to them. Besides, the poor cyborg has been through enough. She deserves a break (from the writer).
This isn’t to say things are going to stay that way, but I did want y’all to know that I’m starting things off honestly and cleanly. Cameron is Cameron.
Good episode, it’s great to finally have Cameron back!
There’s one minor detail in your story that I’ve been thinking about… looks like in the future there are many Chevy Volts around? The production of the Volt won’t start for at least another year and since in your story judgment day happened in 2012, I doubt there would have been that many of them produced. There is also the fact that the Chevy volt is a plug-in hybrid, would their batteries even last 15 years? I suppose it’s possible that in the future some new advanced batteries or power cells are used.
Yeah, I know. Seems that way. I figure Zeira only has a few Volts, some trucks, and fewer Humvees (mostly, it’s a fuel issue). The Volts are used for medium-long distances for travel in a region by a small group. Mostly, people walk or mountain bike if they need to get somewhere. Unfortunately, in this context, a platoon of people biking off to war just isn’t going to sell…it’s mostly going to be laughed at.
The reason I chose the Volt is because it’s an electric vehicle that uses a gas motor to generate electricity. If you augment that with PV cells to charge the vehicle during the day (saving your precious fuel), then you have one really useful vehicle. As of now, no one really knows how long these batteries will last in real-world conditions. Also, I imagine there is a fair amount of jury-rigging and cannibalization that goes on. Lots of improvising with what you have.
Yes! Cam’s back! And John fired her up. Thanks.
Cameron is back. I was afraid that she was going to be all sisterly and yuck… I like that you didn’t make it all schmoopy. In a way, this is how their reunion would be I guess… nothing fraternal. Definitely more, but not exactly sure what.
But seriously, is this the last version of John Connor? No sending him back in time to be an adult? This is what you figure him to be? No hidden Kate Brewster/Marcus/Blair Williams future?
Thanks.
Yeah, it was interesting how to balance out the John/Cameron relationship.
Is this the last version of John Connor? I could say, but then that would be telling.