Chapter 1340

Renewed Vigor

Cameron did not like the 'cold war' she saw brewing between Vanna and Allison. As much as she wanted to push Future John's agenda, she'd agreed not to push anyone. This seemed organic but Cameron wanted the girls to think of each other as well. She wanted them to work together and not against each other.

"Will you ladies join me at the window?" Cameron asked.

Vanna and Allison looked at each other and then at Holly and Gail-Cam. They did not look like they were going to get up.

Vanna and Allison got up and followed Cameron to the window in the corner.

The view was spectacular from where they were. They were closer to the water at this level.

Cameron did not want to make a big deal about the girls.

"I want both of you to be with each other and share your love." Cameron said. "This trip is about both of you. I want you to have a good time with each other first before anything else."

Vanna knew she'd been a little aggressive.

"I think I may have overstepped." Vanna said. "I'm sorry."

Allison knew that was her fault. She could have said something to John earlier to stop him but did not.

"I think I could have acted a little differently too." Allison said. "I apologize."

Cameron did not want to lay blame.

"If anything else is supposed to happen, it will happen on its own." Cameron said. "I am not going to push it. Neither of you two needs to do that either. I told Savannah and Young Allison that I would 'take it easy' as a condition of having everyone on board. If something happens, it happens. I want to remind both of you that your love comes first."

Vanna was not sure what Cameron was actually telling them.

"Are you saying if something happens with John, it will just happen on its own?" Vanna asked.

Allison knew that was true based on what happened earlier. She was aware that John thought she was Cameron. She did not think he would have touched her otherwise. John was never disrespectful to her.

"What if it does happen?" Allison asked.

Cameron looked at both of them.

"Your love for each other comes first." Cameron said. "Anything else is fate. John needs protection."

Vanna wanted to make sure there would not be a problem.

"So this may or may not be 'The Love Boat'." Vanna said.

Cameron thought that was the way it seamed.

"Whatever happens on the ship, stays on the ship." Cameron said. "I want everyone to have a good time."

Vanna and Allison were both still confused. What did Cameron want them to do?

"I don't want to overstep." Allison said.

Vanna did not either.

"Nor do I." Vanna said.

Cameron smiled at both of them.

"You only need to be Vanna and Allison and who you truly are." Cameron said. "This can be your honeymoon cruise as well with each other. If anything else happens on its own, I'm fine with it."

Cameron turned around and walked back.

Vanna and Allison looked at each other.

"Truce." They both said.

They both reached for the others hand and walked back to the table like that.

When they reached the table the seating arrangement was different. They would now be sitting side by side.

What were they thinking? This was John and Cameron's honeymoon. It could be theirs too.

The appetizers arrived soon after they sat down.

John watched Cameron take Allison and Vanna away. He looked at Holly and Gail-Cam.

"I think this is my fault." John said.

Holly wanted to know more.

"Why is that?" Holly asked.

John did not want to say.

"I thought Allison was Cameron earlier." John said. "They look a lot alike tonight."

Holly and Gail-Cam waited for a further explanation but there was none.

"Allison is beautiful all of the time." Holly said.

John was afraid this was going to create a new problem.

"I agree." John said. "I have always thought that."

Gail-Cam did not like Vanna being excluded.

"So is Vanna." Gail-Cam said.

John hoped they would come back soon. He was afraid he was about to cause an even bigger problem. The Metal girls were very defensive of their human lovers. He witnessed that right now.

"Yes she is." John said. "I have always found both of the girls beautiful."

Holly and Gail-Cam listened to Cameron by the window.

"I think we need to redo the seating arrangements." Gail-Cam said.

John was not going to stop them.

"Do what you think will be best." John said. "I want everyone to have a good time."

Holly looked at John.

"I think some will have a better time than others." Holly said.

Holly winked at him.

"I agree." Gail-Cam said. "We are available at any time."

John watched as Holly and Gail-Cam both seemed to make their breasts more prominent. There was no way he could view any of the Metal girls as machines. They were so much like the human girls anymore. Now that Cameron had used all of their chassis. They seemed even more so.

Holly and Gail-Cam quickly rearranged where everyone was except for Cameron and him. Vanna and Allison would now sit together. John was very pleased with that decision.

Cameron was on her way back to the table. Allison and Vanna followed her hand in hand.

The appetizers arrived soon after they sat down.

They did not notice it but the ship turned ever so slightly so they could easily watch the sunset.

They all finished their appetizers.

"The sun will set in three minutes." Cameron said.

They all watched.

Vanna and Allison held hands again as it did.

John reached over and took Cameron's hand.

It was a way to express closeness, while keeping it simple.

Cameron spotted the Blackhawk fly between them and the sunset. It left Catalina to fly to its next destination. Frank would be let off to join Dan in the van while Ken and Lou would fly to Santa Barbara. Once the ship was about to pass Vandenberg Air Force Base they would fly to San Luis Obispo. They would have time to join up with Dan and Frank and take a look around Avila Beach. It never hurt to look around the location of an old operation to see what was new.

Bob was sent to the casino by Jim. He figured he'd better get there right away. He did not know why until he saw that Sheila and Ally were there.

He did not anticipate any trouble. He thought a silent message was already sent to Sheila to take it easy. He really did not think he needed to be there.

Sheila thought about the poker game that Ally pointed out earlier.

"Maybe I will join the poker game." Sheila said. "Will you join it with me?"

Ally knew poker could take a long time.

"I don't know." Ally said.

Sheila would offer her some other alternatives.

"We can always look up Mary and Laura." Sheila said.

Ally thought poker would be a better choice.

"We can do what you want." Ally said. "I want you to have a good time."

Sheila figured the best time was back in the bedroom. She wanted Ally to loosen up some. Her pending encounter with Cameron and John later on seemed to weigh on Ally.

"You pick it." Sheila said. "We can go anywhere else you want too. I'm easy."

Ally managed not to laugh. No one was 'easier' than Sheila.

"Don't tell me, 'easy' is your middle name." Ally said.

Sheila smiled.

"You said it, not me." Sheila said.

Cam-Gail and Hanna stopped at a small lounge. There was a single female singer who played a guitar for some songs and a piano for others.

"Her voice is beautiful." Cam-Gail said. "I like how talented humans are at so many things. It is all things they need to learn and then do."

Hanna thought so too.

"I enjoy being around humans, at least the ones in the Resistance." Hanna said. "I'm talking about more than just the sex and love we share."

Cam-Gail knew that Claire was very talented in the arts and domestic functions.

"Claire is very dynamic." Cam-Gail said. "She has much to offer you in many areas."

That fact made Hanna wonder about Jesse and Gail. She was sure that Gail's slower social development was because she was with Jesse and not another female. She was so different when she was around Savannah.

"Jesse has much to offer." Hanna said. "You two go out every now and then."

Cam-Gail thought about that. When she went out with Jesse they never did much of anything.

"We don't do much." Cam-Gail said.

Hanna hoped to find out some more. Everyone wondered what they did. They speculated it was anything from the nude beach to hunting down future Scavengers.

"What do you do?" Hanna asked.

Cam-Gail frowned.

"It is private." Cam-Gail said. "Jesse has asked for privacy."

Hanna understood that concept. It only made her wonder even more why.

"That sounds intriguing." Hanna said.

Cam-Gail looked at her.

"It is not." Cam-Gail said. "Let's listen to the singer. I can learn some new songs. I like her style."

Hanna was not sure if Cam-Gail really meant that or not. Either way it was clear the previous discussion was over. Maybe Jesse made Gail kill when they went out. If it was something she needed to do all the time that would have a negative affect of her well being and development.

Maybe Hanna should have been more worried about Jesse's well being and development. If someone stayed in the weeds, then the weeds were all they ever saw. They never saw the flowers.

Jim was back in the Control Center. He was appreciative that Hanna and Cam-Gail helped him get the rooms in order earlier

He monitored where everyone was at on the ship. The three groups of Metal girls were all on different decks right now.

He searched around for Mary and Laura. They were at dinner in the Italian restaurant on deck seven. Leticia was in the anytime dining room on deck six. That was the same deck the casino was on. She was with her roommate.

He would need to alert either group of Metal girls if any of the females headed in their direction. He was unsure as to the full extent of Sheila's interaction with the human females but he was sure it was excessive whatever it was.

Maybe he would check her room and see what he could find there.

Summer went to the rec room. Jan already set the keyboard up and was playing on it a little. She stopped and listened. There was something there but it was going to need some work. She came over and sat down next to Jan.

"You're off to a good start." Summer said.

Jan frowned.

"It does not seem like it." Jan said.

Summer smiled at her.

"It is." Summer said. "Let's work on it a little."

Jan was discouraged.

"I'll never be good at this." Jan said.

Summer reached around Jan and showed her what to do.

"If you ever want to be good at anything, you need to practice everyday." Summer said.

Jan tried it again. Under Summer's guidance she started to improve and her attitude improved as well. Soon she was happy and the music came a little easier.

Summer wanted her to get past the mechanical aspects of it and try to be organic and spontaneous. That was where the real music flowed.

Claire and Jesse were in Jesse's room. They did not want to bother Summer when she returned to her room.

Jesse and Claire both finished up their recent love making session. Claire moved off of Jesse and rotated back around. They were now side by side on the bed. Claire kissed Jesse and started down her neck until she reached her left breast.

"Remember, I am the only one for Precious." Jesse said.

Claire paused.

"I'm sorry." Claire said. "I get caught up in the moment sometimes."

Jesse didn't want her to stop.

"You can keep going." Jesse said. "I think I'm full up."

Claire did not want to get carried away.

"Maybe we should call Samantha and see what's happening." Claire said.

Jesse thought that was a good idea.

"Will you call her for me, love?" Jesse asked.

Claire smiled and searched around in the pile of her clothes on the floor next to the bed. She found her phone and called Samantha.

Samantha informed her that based on her calculations that Precious should be good for another forty five minutes to an hour. She also added the caveat that Precious did not always follow a logical timetable.

Claire thanked Samantha and hung up. She recalculated the time based on motherly experience. She thought that humans either small or big did not always do a lot of logical things.

"It sounds like Precious will need you in the next half hour to forty five minutes." Claire said.

Jesse wanted to play it safe.

"I think I should go there soon then." Jesse said.

Claire wanted to be with Jesse one more time before she left.

"Can we knock off a quickie?" Claire asked.

Jesse kissed her long and deep.

"I always have time for one of those." Jesse said. "I'm on top this time."

Jesse quickly rotated around and moved into position. They both went to work with a renewed vigor. They wanted to make things happen. Jesse was known for making them happen. She was very much like the Metal girls in that regard.

Young Allison on horseback led the group out of the depression they were in. She went back up to the first hill they went up when they entered the area.

"The sun will go behind the hills to the west in a few minutes." Cammy said.

Young Allison slowed and stopped at the top of the first hill.

Savannah wanted to make sure the time was right.

"We can watch it from here if it is OK with Robyn." Savannah said.

Robyn nodded.

"It's fine." Robyn said. "We are good on daylight."

The low jagged rocky mountains would give them a 'false sunset'. They would still have plenty of light before the real sunset they would not be able to see it because of the mountains.

Savannah rode up next to Young Allison. Anna was on the other side of Young Allison and Cammy moved up next to Savannah.

Robyn watched them. She hung a little off to the side to give them some space. She thought they were a wonderful group of girls. They were well mannered and polite and they cared about the animals. Not all young people were this thoughtful.

The girls watched the sun disappear. Young Allison moved out to lead the group down the hill to the street. She paused in the dirt area next to the street. There was very little traffic. Robyn moved up to the front and blocked the street. She motioned for Young Allison to lead them across. They came across in pairs to speed the crossing time.

"Take the trail that parallels the street south." Robyn said.

Young Allison did. They would head down Canoga Avenue until they reached Chatsworth Street. They would be on a dedicated and fenced in horse trail the whole way. They needed to cross several small streets along the way. There was no vehicle traffic on the small side streets.

Savannah enjoyed the horseback ride. It was very peaceful for her. She appreciated a break in all the Resistance activity. They would be back at the horse ranch in fifteen minutes or less. Young Allison kept it to a sedate walking pace for the horses.

When they reached the wash again Robyn moved up and led them across the horse crossing to the other side of the bigger street. They crossed over the bridge and were back at the Equestrian Extravaganza Ranch in a few minutes.

Lobo came up to greet them as they entered the property. They passed by the goat, Billy and the two sheep. Billy was a little pushy with the sheep as they passed. Lobo stopped and looked at Billy and he settled down.

The group returned to the area where they started. They dismounted and two other 'ranch hands' led the horses back to the barn.

They thanked Robyn for the good time.

Savannah gave her a hundred dollar bill as an additional tip. Robyn did not want to take it but Savannah insisted.

Robyn thanked them.

"When we come back next time we can ride in the hills to the north of the freeway." Young Allison said.

Robyn thought they were good enough riders to do that.

"I think we can work that in without a problem." Robyn said.

They stopped by and looked at Billy and the two sheep and gave Lobo a pat on the head when they left.

Brian, Randy and Mel let off Cammy's SUV and returned to their original one.

"The evening is still young." Young Allison said.

Savannah looked at Young Allison.

"Where would you like to go next?" Savannah asked. "We can grab a bite to eat."

Young Allison remembered a cool old looking fast food place. It looked like it'd been around forever.

"We are near the railroad tracks. I remember that cool looking yellow hamburger stand." Young Allison said. "It looks like it is right out of the Fifties."

Cammy knew the one.

"That's the 'Munch Box'. It is right out of the mid Fifties." Cammy said. "We are only a few minutes from there."

She'd only been there once before. Young Allison liked one thing there. Actually there were a few things she liked there. One was more so than the others.

"Do they still have those frosty mugs for the 'root beer floats'?" Young Allison asked.

Savannah previously ate there a few times with Cameron.

"I think so." Savannah said. "There's only one way to fine out."

Anna took out her phone. She was going to call them.

"That was not what I had in mind since we are this close." Savannah said.

Anna put her phone away.

"I guess there are two ways to find out." Anna said.

Savannah nodded.

"We are going to use the old fashion way then." Savannah said. "We are going to go there and ask."

It was clear Young Allison was thrilled. So was Savannah.

The Munch Box was a step back in time.

Young Allison knew when they went to the past the Munch Box would be there waiting for them, just like it waited for them right now. Some things changed and some things did not.

John Henry wanted darkness to come so he could bring the drones in lower for some scans. That was still about an hour away. If these were the anti-Metal faction, they needed to be dealt with.

There was one recent event that troubled him. He worked with CamNet to try and determine what the 'dimensional portal' was and how it could even exist. It was a few days since they'd encountered it. The lack of any visible activity here made him wonder if there was one here. There was no detectable hint of any massive energy uses here.

If he could get some solid information he would like to have Summer look at it. They needed to find a way to go into that future and use River's encryption on whatever device they used to make it work. There was a good chance that whoever they sent would be trapped there once the portal generator was encrypted.

The dimensional portal presented a threat to the present, the past and the future.

Steve and his teams waited on the highest alert. They fell back twice from the immediate area where they'd first encountered the four people with what appeared to be a deactivated Terminator.

Steve was with Tom, they were on one side. Al and Ed were on another side. Larry and Hank were on the side opposite Al and Ed. Richard and Michael were on the side opposite Steve and Tom. They were all ready to respond to anyone leaving the two buildings or ready to move in for an assault if necessary.

Savannah decided to drive. Young Allison sat next to her. Cammy and Anna sat behind the human that their sheath was patterned after. This way they could watch their 'charge' easier and all the time.

Savannah turned left off of Chatsworth Street onto Canoga Avenue and headed south to the next signal, it was Devonshire Street. She made a right and headed west.

"I see it." Young Allison said.

It was hard to miss. It was just west of the railroad tracks and a very bright yellow color. It was lit up now because of the nearing darkness. That seemed to accent the yellow color even more.

As they neared the railroad tracks Savannah looked over to the left and saw the Chatsworth station.

Young Allison noticed where Savannah looked.

Her research of the past showed the original Southern Pacific Chatsworth station was on the west side of the tracks.

"The original station was on the other side of the tracks." Young Allison said.

Savannah crossed over the railroad tracks and past the Munch Box which was on the south side of the street.

"So are we now." Savannah said.

Savannah pulled into the center divider between the double set of yellow lines. She waited until it was clear and made a U-turn. That put them almost in front of the Munch Box.

Young Allison spotted the Chatsworth Post Office when Savannah made her U-turn. She also saw the Detail park their SUV in back of them by a couple of hundred feet.

There were two people in the outdoor line ahead of them. That gave them some time to look at the menu. It was not a big menu. They already had a pretty good idea what they wanted. It was mainly a hamburger stand but they did have a few other selections.

Cammy looked at the seating arrangement. It was all outdoors.

"Do you want to sit at a table or on one of the red stools in the front or side?" Cammy asked.

That was a no brainer for Young Allison.

"I want to sit on the cool stools." Young Allison said.

Anna and Cammy sat down on two of them and saved the other two.

Savannah and Young Allison each ordered a cheese burger and would split an order of chili cheese fries. They also ordered two 'root beer floats' in the frosty mugs. They wanted Anna and Cammy to try some first and they would finish off the rest.

They sat down and waited for their order to come up. They were able to get the four seats that were together on the west side of the front of the building. There were only two on the east side in the front. The ones that used to be around the corner were no longer there. There was a red awning on each side with a picnic type table there.

In the distance they could hear an air horn sound two long, one short and one long. It was an approaching train. It was either at Chatsworth Street or Lassen Avenue. The sound was hard to place from the echo of the surrounding buildings.

The bells on the crossing gates started to ring as the lights flashed. The crossing gates came down and blocked the road.

They could soon here the 'muscle car' throb of the four cycle General Electric locomotives. It was the Coast Starlight on its way down the coast and back to Los Angeles and Union Station.

Their ears were blasted by the four very loud air horn blasts as the Coast Starlight crossed Devonshire Street at speed. They got a quick look at the double deck passenger cars. The Coast Starlight did not stop at the Chatsworth station as part of its schedule. It was gone as quickly as it came.

Their number was called to pick up their order at the window, it was ready.

Before they could collect the order there was another series of four very loud air horn blasts. That was backed by the milder throb of a two cycle GM locomotive as it headed northbound out of Chatsworth with the Surfliner. That train did make the stop in Chatsworth. They'd waited there 'in the hole' for the Coast Starlight to pass. It was on this same section of track where it went from double track to single track less than a mile to the north that a Metrolink commuter train ran into a freight train head on coming out of the tunnel. It was a messy 'corn field meet' with numerous casualties.

Skynet was not the only thing to cause death. Life itself was risky.