Chapter 1406


Press The Attack


Camille-Holly and Ally split into one pair and Cam-Gail and Hanna the other pair. They told Jim to take it easy and they made up the rooms. The Metal girls could work fast and accurately when they needed to. They were finished before the group in the dining room received their entrees.

All four of them were going to watch the live stage show later on. They'd all watched it before but it was worth watching again. The music was good and the showgirls were nice to look at.

Camille-Holly and Ally left the private area and went directly to the private boxes. They would hang out there until the show started. It would give them a chance to get away from it all.

Cam-Gail and Hanna left the private area and made a stop at the casino for a few minutes. They didn't see the same attraction there as Sheila did. They thought Sheila liked to see how far she could push it or have someone 'challenge' her. They decided there were other types of 'slot machines' to play. Those weren't in the casino. There was another area with a 'double meaning' where that would happen. They joined Camille-Holly and Ally in the private box area of the main theater.

They passed the time by kissing and touching. They didn't get into heavy sex. They did everything slow and gentle. There would be plenty of time later on for the heavy stuff. If they were lucky they could snag one of the human females. There was always a layer of emotion and feeling there that they sought. It was always a little deeper than they could share with each other.

They watched Bob arrive and block off the front row and keep everyone out of it. They saw the group arrive. Everyone was there but Cameron and Young Jesse. They arrived a few minute later. They watched Cameron put John's hand and Young Jesse's hand together. They knew it was a simple act but it could say a lot. Savannah showed all of them that. There was the feeling of closeness just by being close. The comfort of one individual who wanted to be close to another was always nice.

The show was about half over now. Even though they'd seen it a few times it was still entertaining and fun to watch. The music was great for the most part too. They really wondered about some of the crap people listened to now.


Cameron was pleased that John and Young Jesse still held each other's hands. She looked up to the private box section. The one way glass was closed earlier but now it was open. She spotted the Metal girls watching the performance. She looked at the Metal girls seated with her as well. It pleased her greatly to know she'd been in each of their chassis and was able to deliver their virginity to John as herself.

This was the best honeymoon ever for anyone Cameron thought. It seemed John enjoyed everything too.

Everything that Cameron did on the ship made her feel 'free'. The constraints of the past were thrown off. Things that were needless 'hang-ups' could be put aside. There was beauty and peace to sharing. As long as no one was possessive, there were no problems. It pained her some to know that she'd been possessive most of the time and created many of her own problems.


Savannah recommended they move to the business property on the west side of the target building before the cameras were turned back on and taken out of the loop. They quickly did that.

Cammy needed to decide if they wanted to retreat back to where their SUV was or stay at the building on the west side. If it was a hit, there could be bullets flying in all directions. That would be especially so if there were HK Tracks involved.

She decided to stay where they were. They were closer to the target building and could be there in seconds if they needed to be. If they needed to fight there would be a full drone response. They were to seek shelter while the drones destroyed the target building. Steve was still only twenty-two seconds away if they needed a quick extraction in his SUV.

They were concealed on the other property to the west now. They should be out of the direct involvement if the group that was about to arrive decide to attack from there. They still didn't know what was about to happen.


"We need some better answers." Young Allison said.

Anna looked at all the information that they possessed. She didn't know how that was supposed to happen.

"There aren't any." Anna said.

Young Allison was not convinced this was all that it seemed. Something seemed off to her.

"There could be other vehicles coming from different directions right now." Young Allison said.

Anna looked over the monitors.

"None have been identified." Anna said. "That does not mean there aren't any."

Young Allison always worried about hostile drones.

"Keep watching the sky and the deck for any HK drones." Young Allison said. "The group we were watching has known HK equipment. They could send a few up from one or more of the buildings around there."

Anna knew that both John Henry and CamNet were doing that. There were still a few drones at high altitude to be able to respond to any long range threats at any altitude.


Claire made dinner for the group at the base earlier. Much to her surprise Sarah came to assist her while Jan and Summer practiced. It was clear that they were both ready for a little 'extra'.

Sarah wanted a 'little more' out of life. The few days on the cruise ship reminded her there were other things in life still. It wasn't all the narrow box she'd spent a lifetime painting herself into. She'd spoken with Kyle about it. He did not have a problem if she wanted to 'share a little' with another female. That was common in the future and around the base.

Everyone left when the dinner was done and Claire and Sarah stayed to do the clean up. That was done now.

Claire was always ready to be with a female, Metal or human.

"So what's next?" Claire asked.

Sarah was not really sure.

"I don't know." Sarah said.

Claire could sense the hesitation.

"We can just hang out for awhile." Claire said. "We can work on some music or dance if you want. Dance will allow us to be in close physical contact as part of the routine. It will be the same with music. We're friends and friends help each other and share with each other."

Sarah didn't think she was good at 'girl' things. She used to be before the night that Future Kyle arrived. That all changed. Everything all changed.

"You can show me some dance moves." Sarah said.

By the look on her face, Claire could see Sarah wanted some other moves as well. They could just do a little touching and maybe share a kiss or two. She would like to get a real kiss in. It would be special to share a long slow deep kiss with Sarah. It would remind Sarah how nice her mouth would feel 'elsewhere'.

Claire previously spoke with Jesse about it but not with specific names. It was clear who she referred to since the choices were limited at the base. The only choices were Riley or Sarah.

Jesse didn't have a problem with it. She felt she'd been close a few times in the past with Sarah. It didn't happen. Maybe if it did happen with Claire, she might accidentally 'walk in' and then be able to join them. That was worth any sacrifice. She wanted to be with Sarah from the moment Sarah first slapped her and then knocked her down. That was a real woman.


"The vehicles are one minute out." John Henry reported. "So far they have not slowed."

Savannah listened to the report.

"Do we let them pass or take them down if they enter our area?" Savannah asked.

Cammy wanted to act.

"We take them down." Cammy said. "We do it silently if possible."

They watched their phones with the drone footage while John Henry filled them in with details on their coms.

They watched the vehicles slow and then separated as they neared. It looked like a hit. The vehicles would attack from two different sides. That is what it looked like.

One of the vehicles turned and headed for the street on the backside of the target building. The other stopped at the corner down the street.

The first vehicle stopped in back of the target building. It looked like they were going to turn into the business that Cammy's SUV was parked at in the back behind the building.

Cammy was now glad that Savannah refused to wait there earlier.

Savannah was afraid they were going to spot their vehicle.

"Maybe they're after us." Savannah said.

Cammy did not like where the first vehicle was at.

"If they turn up that driveway maybe they are." Cammy said.

The first vehicle turned around and backed into the driveway behind the target building. They were now in the same spot the team observed the target building from earlier.

That was good news in the sense that they were not after the Resistance group.

Two figures emerged from the first vehicle. That put them at the rear of the target building. That was the north side.

Two figures also emerged from the second vehicle parked at the corner. That was on the east side. They moved toward the front of the building which was on the south side.

"It's definitely a hit." Savannah said.

"I agree." Tom said.

Much to their surprise the two groups of two held their position and waited. That didn't make any sense.

There was something else in play. They didn't have a clue what that was.


Anna and Young Allison poured over all the data.

"Keep checking for anything." Young Allison said. "I don't think this is it."

Anna received an update from CamNet. More Terminators were on the way.

"CamNet has sent Richard and Michael as well as Hank and Larry." Anna said. "Al and Ed are on the way as well."

Young Allison saw that was a big influx of Metal.

"What is it CamNet knows that we don't?" Young Allison asked.

Anna checked.

"It is just a precaution." Anna said. "Brian and Randy are now also on the way."

It seemed like more than a precaution to Young Allison.

"Make sure Cammy's team knows and is kept up to date." Young Allison said. "The attacking force is going to be spotted as they approach the building."

With the cameras restored back to their original function, that eventuality seemed like a good bet.

"It appears that way." Anna said.

Anna wondered what the 'attackers' were holding for. That didn't make any sense.


John Henry watched the two teams of attackers deploy. They were going to be sitting ducks once they advanced on the building. He didn't see how they were going to approach without being detected.

The two men in the target building were most likely Grays that were originally associated with the old newspaper plant. The force that just arrived was either the Fanatics or the anti-Metal faction.

They'd been a battle between these two groups yesterday. Maybe this was a continuation of that same battle. Either way their team was right alongside of the target building.

"It's a trap."

John Henry jumped.

"You startled me – again." John Henry said.

Summer smiled.

"I'm sorry." Summer said. "There are two more vehicles headed for where our team is at. They are coming from the west side. They are going to box them in."

John Henry looked at all the monitors. Neither CamNet nor he could make that same determination. He still couldn't.

"Where?" John Henry asked.

Summer pointed out things on several different monitors.

"There and there." Summer said. "Warn the team."

John Henry was about to when CamNet actively became involved again. She beat him too it.

"You are going to need a drone response immediately." Summer said. "Do it now."

John Henry knew she was right. He didn't understand how they could all look at the same images and information and not 'see' what Summer could.


Cammy's team watched their phones and waited for something to happen. Nothing did.

"What are they waiting for?" Cammy asked.

Savannah felt it was more involved at this point.

"I think they are waiting for reinforcements." Savannah said. "All the communications are supposed to be cut."

Cammy double checked.

"All communications are cut in a five mile radius." Cammy said.

Savannah looked at the images on her phone. The true nature of what was about to happen hit her. She could see their situation for what it was. They were in a trap.

"They aren't an attacking force." Savannah said. "They're a blocking force. We need to move."

Tom and Cammy looked confused.

"How do you know that?" Tom asked.

They gathered everything and were ready to leave.

"I just do." Savannah said.

They received the alert from John Henry about the other troops before they started to move.

"They're trying to block us in." Savannah said. "This is a sucker play and we're the suckers."

They now received confirmation two more vehicles were about the box them in on the west and south side.

Cammy did not like this sudden turn of events.

"We will fight our way out." Cammy said.

Cammy did not want Savannah in a major battle. This was probably going to be one soon enough. Right now they were out in the open and they had room to fight. They weren't in the confines of a mine or stuck in tunnels. They owned the sky, at least for now. Without that benefit they would be at a disadvantage to hostile HK drones without good cover. John Henry and CamNet would watch over them. Young Allison and now Summer would make sure there was an adequate response to everything.


The Metal girls watched the performance. They kissed and touched each other in pleasant ways. They put the one way glass back up. That usually meant they would be naked.

Once that happened things got a little more involved.

Hanna was pleased to be in the company of three female Terminators and all of them looked like 'Allison' or 'Cameron'.


Cameron checked on the people in her care.

She was pleased to see Young Jesse rest her head on John's shoulder between songs. Somewhere along the way Sheila moved next to Young Jesse. Maybe she was giving her advice. Leticia was next to Sheila. Maybe that was the motivation Young Jesse needed to stake her 'claim' for John.

Cameron wanted Young Jesse to get pregnant. If it did not happen on this cruise it was never going to happen. John was acclimated to using different chassis at this point. Young Jesse was a 'different chassis'.

The only thing different was that Cameron would not be a part of it.


They heard the call in the Young Bunker.

"It's a trap."

"Is that Summer?" Young Allison asked.

"Yes." Anna said.

Young Allison was not going to take any chances.

"If those Grays start to move from their positions I want them hit with a missile strike." Young Allison said. "When the other two vehicles stop, I want the same thing as soon as the first door opens to let anyone out."

Anna wondered why she didn't hit them now.

"Every target is locked up." Anna said. "CamNet is read to act."

Young Allison wanted to make sure the killing field was contained.

"We need to think of any clean up if it is required and innocent people." Young Allison said. "Once those two vehicles start to slow it will show their intent is clear."

"Everything is ready." Anna said.

Young Allison wanted some personal insurance for Cammy's team.

"I want 'Coltan Overcast' and 'Cherry Bomb' to stay with Cammy's team and not engage anything but a direct threat to them." Young Allison said. "They may need firepower to clear the area or press the attack."

That last part was a surprise to Anna.

"Press the attack?" Anna asked.

Anna wondered what else was supposed to happen.

Young Allison did not think Savannah, Cammy and Tom would retreat. They would go on the offensive and bring the fight to the enemy.


Cammy's team was advised on what was happening around them.

"We can fallback from where we are now to the west a little." Cammy said.

"We don't need to go too far." Savannah said. "We are most likely coming back to the target building. That's what we're here for."

Tom and Cammy liked Savannah's aggressive thinking.


"Press the attack?" Anna asked.

Anna was a little confused.

"They came here to do a job." Young Allison said. "I think they intend to finish it."

Young Allison checked over their resources. There were eight drones on station plus 'Coltan Overcast' and 'Cherry Bomb'. Two of the drones were at altitude. They could still fire their two 'air to surface' missiles. They would just need an additional second or two to reach the target.

That left six drones for close combat. Two of those would target two of the four groups of Grays that looked like they were trying to box the team in.

Young Allison made plans for the other four drones.

She had Anna send CamNet and John Henry the new targeting information. It was a proven concept but at a much closer range.


Frank and Dan were still in San Francisco. They would leave later in the early hours of the next day to follow the ship back to Los Angeles. Ken and Lou already moved the Blackhawk to Monterey. They were a short flight from the ship if necessary. Both teams had drone support.

Frank drove the van around the streets of San Francisco.

"The night is still early." Dan said.

They wanted to scope out additional targets for when it was later.

"We need to look for any threats or targets first." Frank said.

"I think we can find plenty in the big park." Dan said.

They hoped to spot some more taggers. So far there weren't any.

"I think we took care of most of the tagging crews last night." Frank said.

They were sure more would be encountered later on. They didn't think they were dealing with intelligent individuals. They wondered if this was a byproduct of generations of substance abuse.

"They seem to be slow learners." Dan said. "Time will turn up more."

"Let's hope so." Frank said. "Someone needs to do something to help this city. The politicians have given up on it."

"The politicians that survive J-Day will most likely become Grays." Dan said. "Records indicate that individuals who become a 'sell out' are always a 'sell out'."


Jesse was finished with Precious. She left Riley's room and went in search of Claire. The last she saw of Claire was Sarah trying to get a little 'closer' to her. She did not have a problem with that.

She could hear music playing in the rec room. She advanced slowly to peek around the corner. Even before she got close she could hear them laughing. It was the sound or two people having a good time together. She didn't want to disrupt that. That was not a sound often heard around the base. That wasn't the normal mood of Sarah. It appeared that the time on the ship gave everyone a more positive outlook on things. That was a good thing. It reminded them that there was a little more in life than what their 'world' consisted of. There was still a lot out there to offer them a broader view.

Jesse decided not to even peek in on them. Anytime anyone could find some joy was a good time. She'd heard plenty of misery and suffering in her time already.

She headed back towards her room. She thought she heard some muffled gunfire from the armory. She headed that way to check it out. She found Kyle in there with Jan. She decided to join them. A little target practice went a long way in relieving stress.


Savannah kept a watch on her phone and the four groups that were going to try and box them in.

CamNet selected the screens for her to watch.

Tom and Cammy kept watch around them. They knew they were being protected by the drones right now.

"I hear minigun fire." Cammy said. "It is in the distance over us."

Tom and Cammy both looked up.

Savannah heard nothing.

The screen she looked at split into four smaller screens. She knew something was about to happen.

"Look at this." Savannah said.

Cammy and Tom looked and they saw the four groups of two Grays all fall at the same time. The dirt flew up or the pavement around them sparked. It looked like a 'metal hail' attack.

"CamNet reports the attacking force has been neutralized." Cammy said. "It was a direct down on shot to minimize collateral damage."

The images now focused on the target building.

"It looks like we are back to where we were." Savannah said. "Let's take this place down."

John Henry reported the security camera feeds were looped again.

Right now the Resistance held the advantage. The real battle was yet to begin.


Summer heard John Henry give the team clearance to advance and that the security feeds were looped.

"Wait." Summer said. "Not yet."

John Henry immediately told the group to hold. He was not going to question Summer's advice at this point.

"What is it?" John Henry asked.

"The Grays needed to know our team was in the area." Summer said. "They have some way of tracking them or surveilling them."

John Henry tilted his head slightly.

"That must be true." John Henry said.

"Even if the feeds on the building are disabled, there needs to be some cameras somewhere else that are sending someone information." Summer said. "With the Grays down, they may know that too."

John Henry wondered if that bothered Summer. She'd just seen eight Grays killed with a direct fire long range minigun attack from four drones. The results were instantly deadly. It was doubtful the Grays even knew what happened. It was a soundless attack from the ground for humans.

"I've blocked every known communication presently in a five mile radius." John Henry said.

Summer thought it needed to go one step further.

"Cut the power too." Summer said.

John Henry knew that would cause a major disruption since it was not that late in the night.

During his moment of hesitation CamNet acted.


"They are still getting a signal out somehow from somewhere." Young Allison said. "Cut the power too."

CamNet instantly acted. She bypassed Anna and John Henry.

"CamNet did that." Anna said. "You know that will cause a problem."

Their team came first to Young Allison.

"As long as the problem is not with our team, I don't have a problem with it." Young Allison said.

Anna was unable to determine if things were being escalated or deescalated at this point.

"I wonder what the response will be now." Anna said.


"I wonder what the response will be now." John Henry said

"It will be HK equipment on the ground and probably in the air." Summer said. "It's most likely in place there already."

John Henry thought that sounded logical even if it was illogical.


Savannah, Cammy and Tom all heard the transmissions from the Command Center and the Young bunker. CamNet sent them to the group in a coherent manner in near real time.

"We need to get away from here." Savannah said.

They were still ready to move from before.

"Follow me." Cammy said.

Cammy took off followed by Savannah and Tom. They moved south across the street and to the east. They held at two buildings over.

There were several things that seemed to happen all at once.

They heard the clanking of HK Tracks. It sounded like more than one and the whine of HK drone power plants. Everything sounded very close.

They heard Tom arm the LAW rocket.

"I have two rounds for my M203 that John Henry gave me to try out." Cammy said. "I didn't think I would to test them on the same day."

That was news to Savannah.

"What are they?" Savannah asked.

Cammy would have liked to have had one yesterday.

"They are 'sticky' shockers that can be fired at a greater range than I can throw one." Cammy said.

Tom thought two people each using one would be better.

"Savannah, do you want the LAW?" Tom asked.

Under moonlight conditions she felt Tom held the advantage over her even more so.

"I think you are a better shot under these conditions with the M203 for an accuracy shot." Savannah said. "You will be able to gauge distance and trajectory better than I can."

Savannah slung her M4 and Tom handed her the LAW.

"I think I can hit something with this." Savannah said.

Cammy handed Tom the other 'sticky shocker' round for his M203.

From the building behind them an HK Track crashed through the front office area. One did the same from the target building across the street.

An HK drone rose out of the target building as well.

"I'll take the HK Track behind us." Savannah said.

She turned and fired the LAW. She heard both of the M203 launchers fire at the same time. There was a loud crash sound across the street a second later.

The LAW rocket hit the HK Track behind them and it stopped dead in its tracks. The warhead seemed much more effective. It must be one of the enhanced versions that she'd heard discussed.

A minigun opened fire overhead and in back of them. There were two figures that followed the HK Track out across the street. There was still the sound of one HK drone somewhere close. There was more minigun fire and the drone noise stopped. There was a second loud crash a few moments later.

It sounded like both 'Coltan Overcast' and 'Cherry Bomb' were protecting them. They'd engaged Grays and HK drones.


From the two drones at altitude they watched everything happen in the Command Center and the Young bunker.

An HK Track was sent out from each side of the street and an HK drone tried to lift off from each of those locations. An HK drone and an HK Track were stopped with a shocker. One HK Track was stopped with the LAW rocket and the last HK drone had its power plants disable by minigun fire. Both HK drones crashed back through the roof of the building they tried to leave from.


Steve pulled up in front of them.

Cammy thought they were going to leave.

"I have more LAW rockets in the back." Steve said. "I was instructed to bring them up."

That was good news as far as Savannah was concerned.

"Park the SUV." Savannah said. "We have two buildings to search."

Savannah directed Tom and Steve to take the building behind them. Cammy and her advanced on the target building.

The other teams of Metal would be on the scene shortly. The first team would be there in forty seven seconds. The rest were a minute or two apart after that.

Cammy and Savannah continued toward target building.

Cammy paused to deactivate the HK Track she hit with the sticky shocker while Savannah covered her. The two dead Grays lay nearby. The minigun rounds did a number on them.

Cammy finished the deactivation of the HK Track.

"Let's go." Cammy said.