Chapter 1305

For A Reason

Hanna took the sweaters for Jan and Summer and headed back up to the buffet. She hung back a little to see what was going on when she arrived. She was still a little worried about CamNet 'commenting' through Jim on her conversation with Sheila and Ally about being 'detained' in the stairwell.

She spotted Jan and Summer at a table. It looked like they'd split a few of the desserts. They were smiling and laughing at times.

Jan and Summer just finished up a couple of shared desserts when Hanna arrived at the table.

Hanna walked up and handed each of the girls their sweater.

"Thank you." Summer said.

"Thanks." Jan said.

"You're welcome." Hanna said. "Is everyone ready to play miniature golf?"

Jan was very excited about that.

"I am. I am." Jan said. "I never get to do fun things."

Summer looked at Jan. She was aware that Cameron made sure that Young Allison and her always went out to do things and have fun. There was always plenty of Metal around too.

That was a result of Savannah pushing Cameron to make sure the Young girls were given a broader experience in life and were not as restricted as she was when she was young. Savannah needed to remember too that she'd been targeted for termination by Skynet. Mr Ellison spun the story she'd been killed when the 'small airplane' accidentally hit the building. Sarah did not listen to Savannah when she told her Jan should get out more. Sarah was always worried 'Skynet' would find them like they'd always done before.

Hanna could see Gail looked very content.

"What are you so happy about?" Hanna asked Gail.

Summer asked Gail try a taste of each of the items they'd selected.

"I tried some of each dessert." Gail said. "They set off multiple warnings in my HUD but tasted good. I know what 'good' tastes like now. The girls told and showed me what was 'good'. I liked them."

Summer could see they were done and Jan was antsy.

"I think we're ready for some miniature golf." Summer said.

Hanna looked at the front exit of the buffet.

"Follow me." Hanna said. "We need to go up one deck and part of another."

Gail received word from Jim that Bob would be waiting there for them.

"Bob will meet us there." Gail said.

Jan liked the close association Bob shared with the Reese clan.

"Can he play too?" Jan asked.

Summer would like that as well but knew Bob was 'on duty'.

"He needs to act as part of the crew while he is on the ship." Summer said. "We need to remember to treat him like a crew member if anyone is around to observe us."

They passed by the pool again and went up a flight of stairs. Hanna and Gail did not have a problem with their long dresses or high heels on the stairs.

Summer felt the cold wind once they were up one deck. She looked at Jan.

"Are you warm enough?" Summer asked.

Jan wanted to play miniature golf.

"I'm OK." Jan said. "I'm ready to play."

Hanna wanted to reassure the girls that it was warmer where they were going.

"It is sheltered from the wind more on the next deck." Hanna said. "It will not be this cold once we are out of the wind."

Hanna went up the half flight of stairs and exited onto the level with the miniature golf course.

"I've been waiting for you." Bob said.

Bob was there with four sets of clubs and balls for them.

"Hi, Bob." Summer said.

She wanted to give him a hug but thought better of it. She'd just 'warned' Jan about such behavior.

The rest of them exchanged pleasantries.

"I don't think anyone else will come up because of the cold wind." Bob said.

Jan hoped to get Bob to stay.

"Are you going to stay and watch us?" Jan asked.

Bob wanted to do a roving patrol around the area and check on some of the ships security and other functions.

"I will be close by." Bob said. "I am on duty."

Bob left.

Hanna went over the rules of the game.

It was decided that since Hanna already played that she should go first. Jan would go next, then Gail. Summer would bring up the rear.

Sheila and Ally went down the stairs and into the rear lounge on the Promenade Deck. They hoped to intercept Mary and Laura and see what happened.

"What if they 'pick up' someone else?" Ally asked.

Sheila thought of the extra rings she'd tossed in the bag. Maybe she could get a few more recruits.

"If they are all females we can follow them and see where they go." Sheila said. "It could produce some targets of opportunity."

Ally carefully looked around the room.

"I don't see them." Ally said.

Sheila knew they'd spent too much time in the stairwell. She did not see that as a lasting problem.

"Maybe they left." Sheila said. "Let me call Jim."

Ally knew CamNet would be all over that call.

"Is that a good idea?" Ally asked.

Sheila remembered her earlier speculation about the medical records.

"Maybe it's not." Sheila said.

Ally was sure they were not in the lounge.

"Let me look in the restroom." Ally said.

That sounded like a plan to Sheila.

"I like doing that." Sheila said.

Ally did not find the setting pleasant.

"I said restroom, not locker room." Ally said.

Sheila liked anywhere females removed their clothing.

"It's the same thing." Sheila said.

Ally didn't think so. She spotted Mary near the restroom door.

"Hey, there's Mary." Ally said.

That was Sheila's target.

"That's all I need." Sheila said.

Ally saw the excitement level in Sheila pick up.

"Don't get carried away and don't overdo it." Ally said. "Remember to play it cool."

Sheila looked at Ally and then back at Mary.

"'Cool' is my middle name." Sheila said.

Ally shook her head from side to side.

"Oh, brother." Ally said.

Sheila headed straight for Mary.

"Hi, Mary." Sheila said.

Mary looked a little surprised to see them.

"Hello." Mary said.

Ally looked around some more.

"Where's Laura?" Ally asked.

Mary looked around too.

"I'm not sure." Mary said. "She was talking to someone."

Sheila was ready to get a 'close up' and get to work. She showed Mary her bag.

"I brought everything if you are still up to it." Sheila said.

Mary looked around.

"I am." Mary said. "Laura is not so sure. She wants me to think about it some."

Ally wondered what there was to think about. Either she wanted it or she didn't. The images and videos should have answered all their questions. It was really all pretty straight forward.

"Did you look at the pictures on the internet?" Ally asked.

Mary looked at hundreds of photos. She saw everything from a single ring placed in various places to some with a dozen rings. Some of those were intertwined creating a woven metal 'barrier'. She saw a lot of weird stuff too.

"I did." Mary said. "I watched some of the videos as well. Some women seemed to really feel it pain wise. For others it was a second or two of pain that did not last."

Sheila did not want to lose her.

"I have the pain medication if you want it." Sheila said. "I personally liked the sudden 'jolt' feeling. It reminded me that I was alive."

Mary wanted to see how one went first. She liked the 'jolt' feeling too. If the pain was too intense she would take the pain medication in the area for the second ring first. The first piercing could also be numbed after the fact.

"I will try one side without it first." Mary said. "It was like you said when I did my nipples. It was an exhilarating feeling. I felt so 'alive'. It is an eye opener to say the least."

Sheila knew Mary was about to know she was alive. She held up the bag.

"I'm ready when you are." Sheila said.

Mary looked around again for Laura.

"I need to tell Laura where we are going." Mary said.

Ally spotted Laura outside the window on the open deck.

"I see her." Ally said. "She's outside."

Mary looked.

"I can't see anything but a reflection." Mary said.

Ally used a different vision spectrum scan to locate Laura.

"Let me go check." Ally said.

Sheila wanted to keep everyone together. She did not want Mary to get away from her.

"We can all go check." Sheila said.

The four male Terminators that were with them in San Diego were now headed back to the Resistance base. They needed to be in Catalina tomorrow. They were going to take the Blackhawk.

It was decided they would pick up the three shot up vehicles from the industrial area and dump them at sea past Catalina Island. They would then land at the Catalina airport. There would be transportation waiting for them there. They would make the short drive into Avalon and be waiting for the team to come ashore on the ships tenders. The cruise ship was too large to dock in Avalon Harbor.

They decided it was going to be a heavy lift with the Blackhawk and the three vehicles. They were also aware of the pending operation that Savannah was on with the rest of the Terminators.

"I think we should go there and back them up." Dan said.

Frank wanted to help them too.

"They would come for us." Frank said.

Ken drove the van.

"We still need to get the three vehicles ready for transport." Ken said.

Lou wanted to play it safe.

"Maybe we should pick up a UH-1 from the Van Nuys Airport." Lou said. "It will give us some extra lift and spread the load. It will increase the safety factor and give us some additional flexibility when the group that returns goes back.

Dan wanted to help Savannah first.

"We can worry about that later." Dan said. "Let me contact John Henry."

John Henry tracked the team in the van that shadowed the cruise ship. It was their job to be ready to respond to any emergency when the ship was in port.

They needed to be at Catalina before the passengers started to arrive in Avalon on the ship's tenders tomorrow. They were also going to dump the three vehicles they'd ambushed earlier in the 'Deep Blue'. It was not the first time they'd used that technique.

He was surprised when Dan contacted him and requested to back up the operation that Savannah was on since they would be back in the area soon. He was contacted by CamNet almost immediately to split them into two teams and send them to the location.

John Henry could tell CamNet was worried about Savannah and the rest of the team. Some of the operations took on a life of their own. Others almost got away from them. They always pulled it back in the end.

Young Allison and Anna tracked the van as it drove from San Diego.

"We will have four more Terminators available soon." Young Allison said.

Anna knew they were assigned other duties.

"There are several other tasks they need to perform." Anna said.

Young Allison was aware of that.

"They should have plenty of time to do everything." Young Allison said. "I'm worried about Cammy's team."

Anna wanted to see what she would do.

"You can make a decision for them." Anna said.

Young Allison decided to send them. She was surprised when Dan contacted John Henry to do just that on their own accord.

"Have CamNet inform John Henry that they are needed to assist Cammy's team." Young Allison said. "They have plenty of weaponry with them for any contingency."

Anna went to contact CamNet and was informed by CamNet that she'd already acted as soon as Young Allison requested assistance.

"The team from the van will be split into two teams and head to the location." Anna said.

"That's good because Cammy's team is about to find out what's going on inside that building." Young Allison said.

Every operation was an unknown. This one seemed even more so since they knew someone went in that building. There was no apparent location for them either. That meant they were hiding or they found another way out. That meant there was another way in as well. That could lead to more trouble at an unexpected time. The situation seemed very fluid.

Samantha was pleased at all the attention Allison gave her. She returned the same sensations to Allison soon after. Allison rested now.

"Are you going to Catalina with Vanna and go on the ship tomorrow?" Samantha asked.

Allison paused before she answered.

"I really don't know." Allison said. "I am going to stay with Vanna and do whatever she does."

Samantha knew Vanna would not leave unless Jesse was back to tend to Precious.

"Riley should come back tomorrow." Samantha said. "I am sure Jesse will too."

Allison wondered if her mother would come back with Jesse.

"I really don't know what will happen." Allison said.

Samantha thought Vanna and Allison should talk it over and make some decisions. She was aware her sexual freedom would end tomorrow when Riley and Derek returned.

She thought previously that maybe she should have Resequenced her DNA to Riley's DNA but decided that Claire's DNA was a bigger hit and more desired among the females at the base. She enjoyed all the attention she drew as her sheath took on Claire's appearance.

The idea was floated at one point to copy her program and create two Terminators based on Claire and Riley with the 'Neural Interface' with each of the girls to go along with that. It seemed the real issue was with Cameron.

Samantha listened and heard Vanna was moving around next door.

"Vanna is up if you want to speak with her now." Samantha said.

Allison thought they should at least talk about it.

"Let's go see her." Allison said.

Samantha watched as Allison headed for the door naked.

"Don't you want some clothes?" Samantha asked.

Allison looked back and smiled at her.

"What for?" Allison asked. "They would just be coming off again soon. Maybe we can pull a three way if you're up to it."

Samantha hurried after Allison. She was naked as well. That sounded like a good idea to her.

"I'm in." Samantha said.

Jim was in the Control Center. He tracked Ally and Sheila.

He looked over at the door into the Owner's Suite. He knew what was happening inside. He decided to make sure everything was OK in there. He turned up his hearing. He was surprised at what he heard.

Cammy and Cam were ready to enter the main workroom area of the target building.

Cammy looked back at Savannah.

"Let us go first." Cammy said.

Savannah decided she would follow them in.

"I will be behind both of you." Savannah said.

Cammy did not want to argue about it. Savannah was used to going in with Cameron.

Cammy looked at Cam. Cammy opened the door and Cam went in followed by Cammy. Savannah checked behind them and followed them in.

The team entered silently. They spotted the SUV that was at the location the nurse was at previously. It was parked right inside the rear roll up door. It had been parked there since it entered the building.

Cam led the team around the interior. Cam watched the front and right side. Cammy watched the front and left side. Savannah kept a watch to the rear.

They moved to the SUV. The bodies were still in the back of it.

Cam and Cammy checked each side of it and underneath it. There was still no sign of anyone.

Savannah looked around. It looked like a plain building with not much inside of it. There was no sign of anything that used a lot of power.

"What is this place?" Savannah whispered.

Cammy moved back closer to Savannah.

"I don't know." Cammy said. "I do not see where the power is going either."

They fell in back of Cam again as she continued to move around the interior. No one was spotted.

Cammy started to look in boxes and underneath boxes.

"We know someone entered this place." Cam said. "We also know we never saw them leave either."

Savannah pulled out a Thermite grenade and pulled the pin. She still held the spoon.

Cammy and Cam became alarmed.

"What is it?" Cammy asked.

Cammy and Cam searched for a target.

"The individual we are looking for avoided detection at the first location." Savannah said. "They have also avoided detection here."

Cammy understood. She'd personally searched the other location. She'd never spotted them.

"That can only mean one thing." Cammy said.

Cam and Cammy both armed Thermite grenades as well.

"Liquid Metal…." Savannah said.

Cam and Cammy looked intently around them.

"Nothing has moved." Cam said.

Savannah was unsure what they faced.

"We are missing something." Savannah said. "If we were led here, it was for a reason."

Maybe they were in a trap right now. They'd followed a Gray to that building and there was no one here now except them. Maybe this was a 'killing field'.

Young Allison and Anna listened to Cammy's team.

"I think they should withdraw." Anna said. "Something is way off there."

Young Allison thought that too. This was too spooky. There must be an explanation of some kind. The more they uncovered the more it looked like a setup.

"They know they can pull out at any time." Young Allison said. "Savannah can order them out if she feels it is necessary."

Anna thought Young Allison could play it safer.

"You can order them out too." Anna said. "At least you can order out Cam and Cammy. Savannah will go with them."

Young Allison did not want to do that. Not yet anyway. She still thought about what Savannah said: 'If we were led here, it was for a reason.'

The longer this went on, the more it seemed like a bad reason.

"What is happening in the sky and on the ground in the expanded search area?" Young Allison asked.

Anna checked continuously. John Henry and CamNet were all over it.

"Nothing has changed or presented itself as a threat." Anna said.

Young Allison was going to try and provoke a reaction.

"Notify Cammy's team that a drone is going to come in low right on top of the building." Young Allison said.

Anna wondered what for. There was a chance it would be spotted by someone.

"Why would you need to do that?" Anna asked.

Young Allison thought it would be psychological more than anything.

"The drone has more powerful scanners than Cam and Cammy do." Young Allison said. "It may be able to detect something they can't. It should also cause a fear factor to anyone from the future. They will know what it is. They know a drone means death. They will know what they are up against."

Anna did not know if a drone could detect Liquid Metal, even if it was in close.

"The drone may be able to spot something that looks 'different'." Anna said. "It may or may not actually detect Liquid Metal."

That was an edge Young Allison wanted.

"Have them prepare to throw the Thermite grenades at any spot that shows up 'different'." Young Allison said. "Do it."

Young Allison did not want to see the girls end up in an ambush of any type. They needed to be a little proactive here. It was always better to get the first blow in before they were 'hit'.

Cammy's team received the message that a drone was coming down right on top of the building.

They were still together as they looked around them. They were ready to throw the Thermite grenades in any direction.

"I'm not so sure about this." Savannah said.

Cammy wanted them to get their directions affirmed.

"The roll up door is the twelve o'clock position." Cammy said. "The door we entered from is at five o'clock. The door on the other side is at seven o'clock. If we are told to react we all know where to respond instantly."

The whine of a drone could be heard coming closer. In fact it sounded like two of them. It was louder than one of their quiet drones.

Savannah thought 'Cherry Bomb' and 'Coltan Overcast' were the two drones that responded. Savannah could not hear everything clearly now over the whine of the drones.

Cammy received new information.

"Steve and Tom are in the front." Cammy said.

Savannah wanted them to hold.

"Have them cover the front but hold at a safe distance in case the building blows up." Savannah said.

Cammy relayed the message.

Savannah felt there was one drone directly over them and the other one was scanning around the building.

Cam and Cammy were ready to throw the Thermite grenades. Savannah was ready too but she would hold and watch from the opposite direction that Cammy or Cam called. She remembered the 'eel' that was in her mother's - Mrs. Weaver's 'fish tank'. A portion of the Liquid Metal Terminator may try and draw them off to look one way while the main part attacked them from behind. That was if it was even what they faced. It was a possibility.

They still hadn't searched the other side of the building in the front. Nothing showed up as a 'hit'.

The sound from the drones was overpowering.

Everything was reported as 'all clear'.

Cammy and Cam put the pin back in their Thermite grenades.

Savannah looked at her hand holding the Thermite grenade. Her knuckles were white from holding the spoon tight for so long.

Cammy reached out and took the Thermite grenade from Savannah. There was a little shake to Savannah's hand as she handed the pin to Cammy. Cammy secured the grenade and handed it back to Savannah. The two drones could be heard departing.

It seemed totally quiet without the drones overhead.

Cam and Cammy searched the other side of the front of the building while Savannah remained at the door to the workroom floor.

"There is nothing here." Cammy said.

Savannah was not convinced.

"Where is all that power going?" Savannah asked.

They were right there and there was nothing visible. There needed to be something hidden. They hadn't found anything like that yet. Was this something new?

Young Allison wanted Anna, John Henry and CamNet to go over the drone scans.

"There is something in those scans." Young Allison said.

Anna did not see anything detected.

"Maybe further analysis will show something." Anna said. "We are all going over the data. There is no conventional threat detected."

Young Allison hoped the low flying drone appearance did not cause a problem.

"Has anyone reported the drones?" Young Allison asked.

Anna checked with John Henry.

"No." Anna said. "There has been nothing to 911 or any internet traffic."

Young Allison felt the answer was right in front of them. If it was, where was it?

"I think we are looking for something that is shielded and masked that it is shielded." Young Allison said. "Whatever is there is hidden on purpose."

Anna soon received some feedback from CamNet and John Henry.

"I think you are on to something." Anna said.

Young Allison wanted to cut the power and see what happened. The trouble with the other giant power cells exploding when the power was cut kept her from doing that. She wanted some input from Cammy's team.

"Have John Henry ask Cammy's team if the want the power cut." Young Allison said.

There was no solid indication there was a giant power cell there or even a series of smaller ones. There was actually no indication of anything.

The drones scanned the surrounding buildings. They needed to worry about another ambush. Nothing showed up around them. The other teams were ready to enter and tear the building apart. Maybe they would find something. Maybe that would be enough personal for the enemy to trigger a bomb. Maybe there was nothing there to be found.