Read Online Terminator Salvation: The Official Movie Novelization by Alan Dean Foster - Free Book Online

functions. It was unable to prevent the silent soldiers from securing it to the tabletop. The tech chief eyed it with grim approval.
    “We fried its transmitter and backup, so it can’t call any of its pals. But it can still receive.”
    Connor nodded. He had been briefed on what to expect. His gaze was intent as he scrutinized the small, crudely cobbled-together transmitter that rested on a nearby bench.
    “Turn it on. You got it?”
    The tech nodded. “Give me the strap.” Holding the device, the senior technician flipped a switch. A soft hum came from the transmitter’s battery. The setup was far from state-of-the-art, but it functioned.
    Proof that both the transmitter’s circuitry and programming were working was provided by the Hydrobot. It spasmed once, then went inert on the table. Connor pointed out to the tech that while the single red light in the center of the machine’s head faded to an ember, it did not wink out entirely.
    The chief technician nodded. “The code signal creates a disrupt. It’s not a permanent turn-off or we’d simply send out the broadcast and shut down all the machines.”
    Connor grunted. “So it’s more of a ‘pause’ than an ‘off’ switch.”
    “I’m afraid so,” the tech told him. “And the signal has to be continuous in order to sustain the effect. Any interruption and....” He flipped the switch back.
    The Hydrobot immediately jerked back to life, beating violently but futilely at the tabletop and its bonds. Locking eyes with Connor, it snapped viciously in his direction. He studied it dispassionately, like a defiant mouse that had suddenly managed to turn the tables on its would-be trap. The tech switched the transmitter back on and the machine was once again immobilized.
    “While the signal is being broadcast, it can be traced. It gives away your location. But it works.” He eyed the dormant Hydrobot with unconcealed loathing. “And while it’s working, you can walk right up to any machine and blow it to bits.”
    “I’d rather have a full-time ‘off’ switch,” Connor muttered.
    “We all would.” The tech was sympathetic. “But if this is the best we can come up with based on the information that was acquired in the course of the attack on the Skynet VLA, I know plenty of people in the field who’ll be glad to have it.”
    “Speaking of people in the field, John....”
    Turning, he saw that Kate had been watching from the other doorway. Entering, she smiled gently.
    “Have you forgotten? It’s time for your radio broadcast to the survivors.”
    He spoke more curtly than he intended. “There’s no time. Not tonight.”
    She put a hand on his shoulder. “There are people left out there. Not just those in the Resistance. People out on farms, scattered in the mountains, hiding in the desert. Trying to keep it together in national forests and city subways and on small boats at sea.” Her fingers contracted gently against him. “They need to hear a voice. Your voice.”
    She hesitated briefly, then added the unavoidable coda.
    “You know who’s out there, John.”
    Looking back at her, he didn’t have to ask who she was referring to.
    “All right. What I’ve got in mind is going to take some time, anyway.” Turning, he saw that the chief technician and the entire tech crew were waiting on his orders. He indicated the motionless Hydrobot.
    “Destroy this thing. See if you can rig up a more portable version of that transmitter. We’re going to try it out on something bigger. We have to, otherwise we’re just spinning our wheels.”
    “That sounds more like something a machine would say, sir,” declared one of the watching soldiers. Everyone who heard it chuckled at the quip.
    The clandestine radio room the two of them entered was unoccupied except for the technician on duty. Waiting for me , Connor thought. Waiting for encouragement, for hope. Wanting to supply both, he knew he could offer only words. Broadcast via hidden, surreptitiously