Chapter 1359

Nothing More Than That

The team on the ground watched the vehicle approach. It was an SUV. The team started to spread out. They might have to fight.

"I think it's ours." Young Allison said.

Savannah looked. It was the SUV they were with earlier. There was no way to know if it had been compromised. Anyone could be behind the wheel.

"It is." Savannah said. "Everyone stay ready anyway."

The com traffic was a little clearer now. It improved the further they moved away from the buildings.

The SUV slid to a stop sideways in front of them. The driver's door opened along with the door behind it.

"If you want to leave, come with me." Cammy said.

Cammy slid over into the passenger seat.

Anna was in the second row. She climbed over the seat into the third row.

Savannah headed for the driver's seat. She figured Cammy moved over so she could drive if an EMP went off. She would at least be able to steer the vehicle.

Young Allison climbed into the third row next to Anna.

Kyle handed the Barrett to Anna who stashed it in the back. He climbed into the middle row seat followed by Sarah and then Derek.

As soon as the rear door slammed closed Savannah floored it. She wanted to put some distance between them and the buildings.

Young Allison looked out the rear window.

"The south building is on fire." Young Allison said.

Savannah thought that it would at least take care of the mess that was left behind inside of it. If the building vaporized that was a different story. That would really clean up the mess in both building and raise a bunch of questions as to what happened there.

They knew there would not be any emergency response.

Savannah could see another SUV ahead. She took her foot off the accelerator.

"Allison's Detail is up ahead." Cammy said. "They insisted on doing their jobs."

Savannah put her right foot back down on the accelerator. They were half a mile away in no time.

"I think we are clear of an explosion." Savannah said. "I'm not so sure about an EMP."

They were a mile away in short order.

Cammy and Anna were both being updated by John Henry and CamNet now as to what was happening. They passed along any relevant or urgent information.

"Pull over behind the building up ahead but not next to it in case it collapses." Cammy said. "There are a series of small explosions going off in the south building. The north building is on fire now as well."

Savannah pulled over and so did Young Allison's Detail.

They could hear two drones approach their position down low as they stopped. They landed between the two SUVs and the building. They acted as an additional layer of protection between the SUVs and whatever was about to happen.

"It's 'Coltan Overcast' and 'Cherry Bomb'." Young Allison said.

It surprised Derek, Sarah and Kyle that Young Allison referred to them by names.

"Do the drones have names?" Sarah asked.

Young Allison was pleased at what they'd done.

"Yes." Young Allison said. "Savannah and I named them when we repaired them."

That was another surprise for Derek, Sarah and Kyle.

Savannah opened her door.

"Take shelter on the outside of the SUV." Savannah said. "The Terminators need to shut down for now."

Everyone got out and huddled with their back to the SUV. Savannah did not know if the windows would blow out.

John Henry warned them the blasts were getting bigger. They could barely hear them.

Kyle looked to see if there were any storm drains or manholes nearby. He could not spot any in the dark.

"My phone works." Young Allison said.

They looked at a far off drone image of the burning buildings.

The roof appeared to collapse inward on the south building.

"Turn everything off for now, coms, phones, everything." Savannah said. "This may be when something happens."

There was a brilliant flash of light behind them a few seconds later. They waited for the sound of the explosion to reach them. It was barely a muffled bang.

"I think that was an EMP blast." Savannah said. "I was much closer to some before. There were several of them before a large explosion."

They waited to see if there would be any more. That was what Savannah previously experienced. Nothing else happened. They waited another minute.

Young Allison wanted to look at her phone again to see what happened.

"I want to make a check with my phone." Young Allison said.

Savannah thought they could sacrifice one electronic device for some information.

"Do it." Savannah said.

Young Allison checked.

They all gathered around to look. Savannah reactivated her com.

The south building was collapsed along with half of the north building. The other half of the north building was on fire.

John Henry could not give her any more of an update other than what they looked at. He didn't know what was happening either. He did confirm the flash of light was an EMP blast. It was not very big or strong. He reported there was no damage to any of the Resistance forces.

Sarah was not really sure what was happening. She expected there to be something more. She'd felt one of the 'earthquakes' from the previous encounter at the mine.

"Is that it?" Sarah asked.

It seemed like it but they did not know for sure. The control equipment was at the north end of the north building. That was section was burning as well.

Young Allison looked at Anna and touched her cheek. Savannah did the same with Cammy.

"When will they power back up?" Derek asked.

Cammy gave her a time of five minutes earlier before she shut down.

"They set a time of five minutes." Savannah said. "I bet Cammy will reboot sooner than that."

They watched the north building collapse in the section where Young Allison used the Thermite grenade. There was no explosion or flash of light.

John Henry said they would send a 'clean up' team in tomorrow once everything cooled down. They needed to remove a few things. There was at least one Terminator chassis in there. The bodies that were below ground in the passageway may still be there. They would need to be dealt with. They didn't like to leave things that might raise questions later on if possible. The less anyone knew the better. That included the authorities and any surviving members of one of the groups they took down. Not everyone from every group was in at the time of an attack.

"I think that's it." Savannah said. "We are done here for tonight or actually its early morning now."

"I think the sun will be up in a couple of hours." Young Allison said. "It's been a long day."

Sarah checked the time.

"We are past the 'Witching Hour'." Sarah said.

Sarah, Kyle and Derek all reflected that they were on the cruise ship for the last sunrise and all the luxury and splendor it offered them. Look what they just went through. There was a world of difference between those two lifestyles.

Cammy opened her eyes.

"What happened?" Cammy asked.

Savannah filled her in.

Anna and the rest of the Detail rebooted soon afterward.

Savannah and Young Allison went over to 'Coltan Overcast' and 'Cherry Bomb'. They both touched them. They soon showed sign's of activity. The girls gave them a final touch and moved away from them. They powered up their engines and took off. They did a slow circle around them and then headed straight up and disappeared.

Savannah and Young Allison spoke quietly for a short time. The two girls gave each other a long hug.

Young Allison joined her Detail along with Anna in their SUV.

"Are they leaving?" Derek asked.

"For now they are." Savannah said. "They were going to go back to Palmdale right now. I asked them to come to the Resistance base so we could get our report in and then get some rest."

"I think the report can wait until the morning." Sarah said.

Cammy looked back at them.

"That's fine." Cammy said. "It is mainly Savannah and Young Allison that will need to pass along what happened."

Savannah drove and she looked back and saw that Young Allison drove the SUV behind her as they headed for the base. That did not seem to bother her as much anymore. It was clear that Young Allison was much more than she previously could admit to herself. Maybe she was being too overly protective. Maybe she was afraid of what could happen between them. It was more than clear that Young Allison was ready to become a 'big girl'. It would change everything.

John Henry filled them in on what would happen. Cameron's Metal would remain in the area for the rest of the night to see who showed up if anyone. John Henry restored the power grid. There were three blocks in an industrial section that were without power because the transformers were destroyed. They would have priority service in the morning to be repaired by the city.

Samantha watched the updates and noticed a few things on the drone footage as the team left the buildings. The images disappeared.

She was contacted directly by CamNet and told what to discuss and what not to discuss. She was not looking for any trouble. She was not even sure what she saw. She did not review her files either.

She quietly awoke Riley after she checked on Precious and told her Derek would be back in a few minutes and everyone was fine.

Jesse and Claire woke up too. She informed them that Derek, Sarah and Kyle were on the way back along with Savannah.

Jesse thought she should stay in the nursery in case Precious needed her. Claire said she would stay too. Jan and Summer were up now as well.

The team arrived and they stopped by Riley's room. Savannah thanked them for coming to check on her in the building. They didn't elaborate on anything that happened. Jan left with her parents and Summer said she was going to sleep in her bed.

Savannah and Cammy said they needed to make their report to John Henry before she turned in. Young Allison and Anna were not seen by anyone. They went around the long way to go to the Command Center.

Cammy and Savannah went to see John Henry. When they were in one of the dead zones Savannah told Cammy about the female Fanatic and what really happened. Cammy agreed they should not report the specifics of her termination. They continued on their way.

Cammy was troubled by this new revelation from Savannah.

Young Allison and Anna went the back way to the Command Center. A figure stepped out to greet them as they approached. It was Summer.

Young Allison and Summer hugged each other. It was very evident the two sisters shared an emotional hug. That might have been the most emotion that Young Allison expressed all night.

Summer knew some of what happened but not everything. She knew enough to know that her sister was in it pretty deep tonight. Anna gave Summer a hug too and told her she needed to sleep now. They left Summer off at her room and continued along to the Command Center. Savannah and Cammy arrive a few minutes later.

Savannah looked both ways and closed the door to the Command Center. She looked at the security camera.

"I need to know if anyone is headed to the Command Center." Savannah said. "John Henry will be notified at once."

Young Allison wondered what that was all about. She did not ask.

"The details of what is discussed here now will remain on a 'need to know' basis. Allison or I will determine what and who that is. That includes John and Cameron until their cruise is over." Savannah said. "At that time I will make a full report to both of them in person with Allison at my side."

Savannah looked over at Young Allison and she smiled at her.

Savannah started the report as Cammy, Anna and John Henry listened. CamNet also listened. Young Allison started her report when she left the SUV and headed for the building. Savannah and Young Allison continued their report together once they'd linked up.

Anna sat and listened to what Young Allison did and the number of people she'd killed. She reached over and took her hand at one point.

Young Allison smiled at Anna and told her she was good.

John Henry, Cammy and Anna asked a few questions here and there. They were all beyond impressed at what transpired.

"Derek, Kyle and Sarah can fill in their parts tomorrow." Savannah said. "You have the bulk of the story."

Cammy wanted to add something. She felt it was important.

"Derek told me he was not sure if they were going to make it before Allison acted." Cammy said.

Anna threw in what Kyle told her.

"Kyle told me the same thing." Anna said. "They wanted that to be known because they doubted it would be reported as such."

Young Allison did not want anyone to dwell on her actions.

"I did what needed to be done when it needed to be done." Young Allison said. "It was nothing more than that."

Everyone there thought otherwise. It was doubtful any other person would have even attempted what she did let alone pull it off so spectacularly and successfully.

Maybe the most impressive thing was how Young Allison kept her cool and demeanor. It really was like she was not affected by any of it. Maybe Cameron really could make a 'human version' of herself. Maybe she'd already accomplished that.

Riley was very pleased that Derek was back and unhurt. He only gave her a brief rundown of what actually happened and said the operation was mostly over when they arrived. He was very aware that Kyle and him actually hadn't contributed that much to the operation. He wondered if they actually weren't a liability. It was clear now that Savannah and Young Allison were in control of things before they arrived.

Since there was no body cam footage of what they'd experienced and the close call that it was, he saw no need to worry her. They made it out. All was well that ended well.

He showered and checked on Precious. Samantha was in standby by her crib. He did not want this kind of life for Precious. What happened tonight and watching Young Allison kill confirmed what he felt. That could be his daughter one day. There just had to be a better life for her.

He went into the bedroom and removed his towel. Riley was there naked in bed waiting for him. She wanted to show and share her love with Derek.

This was a different kind of sharing than it was on the ship. This was where the love really shined. They both knew the risks and finality of the lives they led.

Kyle went and cleaned up while Sarah got Jan to bed. She joined him a few minutes later in the shower. They lovingly washed each other off and kissed when they faced each other. They dried each other off and headed for the bedroom.

Kyle looked in on Jan to make sure she was asleep. After what he witnessed with Young Allison he did not want that future for Jan.

He joined Sarah in bed.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Sarah asked.

Kyle thought about it.

"It was a close one." Kyle said. "Maybe we can just go over it in the morning with John Henry."

Sarah did not want to make it an issue.

"That's fine." Sarah said.

Kyle still lay there. He was impressed at what he'd witnessed. He could not get the image out of his head.

"You should have seen her." Kyle said. "It was amazing."

Sarah waited for him to go on but he didn't. She decided to make her desires known. It was what they both wanted right now. It gave them a taste of reality and being back in the grind.

The killing time was over. It was now time to make love. They could share each other and the fact they were both still alive and unhurt.

Cameron was informed that the team made it out of the buildings and they were burnt to the ground. There were no injuries to anyone or damage to any machines.

She was aware there was more to this story. She would contact Savannah tomorrow, actually later today and ask her for more details.

Cameron left Jim and headed back into the Owner's Suite. She was still naked. She went and checked on John and he was sleeping peacefully. He was not snoring right now so she lay down along side of him. She decided she would stay until sunrise. That was only a little over an hour away. She gently brushed the hair off of his forehead and kissed him softly on the cheek.

She thought this was the kind of life that John deserved. Not whatever Hell that Savannah just went through. She still had no idea what part Young Allison played on her own. She planned to be at Young Allison's side when she entered combat for the first time. She did not want her endangered without Metal backup.

Once the truth was known, it was going to affect Cameron deeply.

Jim was very glad when Cameron left the Control Center and did not ask him to accompany her. It was something he worried about. He saw how selfish Cameron acted with the Metal girls and what she took from each of them.

He went back to monitoring the ship and the Resistance operations.

He listened in the Owner's Suite for any sounds of Cameron approaching.

Savannah and Young Allison finished their report. Savannah said they needed to get cleaned up and get some rest. They left together.

John Henry, Anna and Cammy were alone in the Command Center.

Cammy watched them leave on the security monitor.

"How much do you think they left out?" John Henry asked.

Cammy did not want to make a big deal about it. She wanted to backup Savannah.

"They told most of it. They left out whatever they needed to leave out so that they could finish the story." Cammy said. "You need to leave it at that."

Anna wanted to go with Savannah and Young Allison. She did not want Young Allison alone for the rest of the night. She knew there was going to be some repercussions for Young Allison at some point.

"Young Allison put on a brave face but I know this is going to touch her sooner or later." Anna said.

John Henry thought that Savannah would be able to take care of it, as it should be. It was the 'Natural Order' after all.

"Savannah is there for her if she needs comfort." John Henry said. "I know she went through a similar experience."

Cammy thought Young Allison summed it up herself.

"She did what she was supposed to do." Cammy said. "She did it without Metal backup too. That needs to be stressed and remembered."

Anna knew it was even more than that.

"She did it without Savannah or anyone else to back her up." Anna said. "THAT needs to be remembered."

Cammy knew who was responsible for that.

"Put the credit or blame where it belongs." Cammy said. "Young Allison is the product of Cameron's training or indoctrination."

Cammy and Anna looked at each other.

"What are we going to do now?" Anna asked.

Cammy looked over Anna up and down.

"I could think of a few things if you weren't such a prude." Cammy said.

Anna did not like that comment. She was 'saving herself' for Young Allison. It was the same way Young Allison was 'saving herself' for Savannah.

Before she could respond John Henry offered a solution.

"You two could always clean the weapons. It sounds like some of them received a lot of use." John Henry said.

"Maybe I will." Cammy said.

Anna was still miffed by Cammy's earlier comment.

"I guess we can." Anna said.

Anna wondered when Claire was going to find out Young Allison was here. She knew that Summer would not 'tell' on her. Like Derek and Kyle, she thought Young Allison's exploits should be celebrated for what they were. Even if they seemed somewhat foolhardy, they were bravery and based on a calculation of success. She calculated Young Allison's chance of success for the initial attack on the men with gas masks at seventy-three percent. The chance of success for struggle with the big man was at fifty-four percent. If she would have had a gas mask before she started the odds would have gone up even higher in her favor, especially against the big man. She could not take a breath of air for that whole time. She was proud of Young Allison and her actions.

Savannah walked with Young Allison. She wanted to take her hand and hold it. She did not think Young Allison was ready for that. Not yet anyway. She would be at some point. It was what she went through before herself when she first needed to kill. She only killed one person, not over a dozen at that time. What Young Allison did was very personal in the way it was done. It was direct and point blank. She made sure her opponents were dead.

They reached the turn to go to Savannah's room. Young Allison continued straight.

"Where are you going?" Savannah asked.

Young Allison slowed and looked back at her.

"I need to clean my weapons." Young Allison said.

Savannah thought that was admirable but it could wait until morning.

"It's late. You need to get cleaned up and rest." Savannah said.

Young Allison knew her responsibilities.

"Work before play." Young Allison said. "Or I guess in this case, work before rest."

Young Allison continued to the armory as Savannah followed her.

Mel, Brian and Randy were there and they were almost finished cleaning all the weapons used.

"You didn't have to do that." Young Allison said.

The three Terminators looked at each other.

"We don't sleep." Brian said. "It gives us something to do instead of going into standby."

Savannah saw they laid out all the electronic gear as well.

"Is that all functioning properly?" Savannah asked.

They checked everything twice.

"It appears that way." Randy said.

Mel held up a Taser.

"Do you want to try this on one of us?" Mel asked.

Young Allison did not want to do that. She remembered when she'd shot Cammy before as part of a 'real life' test. Cammy was already damaged and said one more bullet wound would not matter as long as she did not shoot her in the face.

Young Allison reached back and pulled her Model 66 out.

"I still need to clean this." Young Allison said. "I killed a man with it today up close."

She swung open the cylinder and ejected two empty casings and four unfired rounds. She looked at the two empty casings for a few seconds and then tossed them in the bucket of fired brass.

"It was him or me." Young Allison said. "It was life or death."

Mel took the Model 66 from her.

"I will clean this for you." Mel said. "You need to rest."

Young Allison could see they were going to do it anyway.

"You can return it to me later on." Young Allison said. "Thank you."

Savannah thanked them too and they left. They were back at Savannah's room in a short while.

They entered the room.

Savannah looked around and closed the door.

"I know how you feel right now." Savannah said. "I felt the same way."

Young Allison just wanted to wash off and lay down at this point.

"I'm fine." Young Allison said.

Savannah did not want to push it.

"You get cleaned up first." Savannah said. "You have your toothbrush and some night clothes here."

Young Allison stripped down to her underwear. She faced Savannah and then took her night clothes into the bathroom.

Savannah threw Young Allison's clothes into the wash hamper and added hers to the pile. They probably needed to be washed twice. She was now in her underwear too. She heard Young Allison in the shower so she went in and brushed her teeth to speed things up.

She heard the door to her room open and went to see who it was. She hoped it wasn't Jesse or Claire.

She saw Cammy go out with the laundry basket. Young Allison's Model 66 was on the dresser with six cartridges lined up in a row so Young Allison could load it herself.

"Thanks, Cammy." Savannah said as the door closed.

She heard the water turn off in the shower. She thought that was fast.

"It's your turn." Young Allison called out.

Savannah picked up her night clothes and entered the bathroom.

Young Allison was in the process of putting her night shirt on.

They passed without comment and Savannah stripped off her underwear and entered the shower. As she washed she could see Young Allison brush her teeth and exit the bathroom.

She made it snappy and finished up and dried off. She put on her night clothes and entered the bedroom. Young Allison was already in bed. She lay down next to her and pulled the covers up. Both girls were asleep in minutes. It had been a long day.

Savannah was glad she was there for Young Allison if the 'events' bothered her later on.