Chapter 55
Time Warp
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Cameron's Future Timeline:
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Cameron left Future John and Future Allison behind in the bunker. She wanted to leave on her own terms. She did not want to hear Future John beg her to stay. Cameron felt that Future John deserved better than her. That was the function of Future Allison and Future Savannah. They would be the ones to share with and be with Future John. To join them was an option that was open to her, that was if she ever did return to this timeline. It seemed highly unlikely at this time. She wanted to go back 'home'.
She was pleased with what she'd been able to do with Future Allison. Not only was she alive, she was also molded into a better person. Cameron felt she'd worked very hard with Future Allison to improve her in everything from education to combat training.
Now it was time for her to leave. She wanted to think 'go home' but that was debatable as to how that was going to work or where she would end up. She would most likely arrive in a different timeline and miss her opportunity to be with John. The more she pondered the idea, the more she wondered where she really would end up when she went back. She doubted it would be where she wanted it to be. That was assuming there was no temporal error and she didn't end up in the distant future or prehistoric times. She certainly did not want to end up in a future with Mrs. Weaver.
Cameron looked back at the bunker where she left Future John with Future Allison. It was not too late to go back and join them. It was very tempting to her. This was a known place where she would be welcome. The unspoken question was for how long. She looked at Unit Two and Unit Three as she thought about going back to Future John and Future Allison. To look at them reminded her that life moved forward, not backwards. She needed to get back to John and their future together.
She soon passed by the old man again. Something clicked in her mind and hit her like a ton of bricks. She stopped dead in her tracks.
Cameron thought she just found her 'ticket to ride'. It might just work to get her back to where she belonged.
"Do you mind if I examine your weapon 'Ole' Timer'?" Cameron asked.
To all the personnel at the base except the 'bubble tech', no one was aware that she was sent away a few hours ago. They certainly did not know she was back after being in the past for a few years.
"I'll do anything for the General's top commander." 'Ole' Timer' said.
He pushed up the lever on the left side of the pistol grip up and pulled the thirty round magazine out. He put the safety on and handed it to her. The bolt was already back in the firing position. It showed the weapon was clear.
Cameron took the weapon. It was heavy but not for her. The finish was mostly worn off but there was not a trace of rust. The old man cleaned his prize weapon daily. She pushed the button on the top of the stock and slid it off the receiver. With that short barrel it was almost like a giant pistol without its stock. She slid the stock back on.
This was her ticket home without a divergent time line. When she passed the old man the first time and noticed his Thompson it triggered something in the back of her mind.
The last time she fired a weapon similar to this one was from the Terminator with the temporal error. His was a 1921 Thompson with a fifty round drum. She thought she could go back in time to 2007 when they first arrived from 1999 and then go into standby until the time she left to complete this current task.
She did not want two of 'herself' active in the same timeline. She also did not want to alter the timeline. Once she was in the right timeline she would take a 'short nap' for a few years and be good to go. She would be able to return to the base tight at the time she left. That would avoid the panic of everyone running to the TDE room to try and stop her. She hoped the things she left in each of their rooms would not cause them any distress. They could return them to her or keep them. The one thing she was going to make sure stayed where it was, was her wedding dress. She wanted Savannah to keep her promise to be with John when she was 'old enough'. There was probably going to be some issues as to what 'old enough' meant to some of the people at the base. To her it meant about two years after she would first be capable of reproduction. That was an age old measurement that existed for thousands of years in the past. She thought the same life span of thirty to thirty five years of that past time period applied to a Skynet future if one was lucky.
Cameron handed him back his Thompson.
"Thanks, Ole' Timer." Cameron said. "You're a lifesaver to me."
He took the weapon and looked a little concerned at the two Terminators with her.
"Anytime." 'Ole' Timer' said.
Unit Two and Unit Three stood behind her. They said nothing and showed no expression. They looked serious, real serious. Then again they always did. They never spoke unless spoken to.
"They're with me." Cameron said. "Carry on soldier."
'Ole' Timer' gave her a salute.
"Yes, ma'am." 'Ole' Timer' said.
The Ole' Timer was glad they were on his side. He knew his Thompson was best used on Grays and Scavengers. It would not stop Metal.
It was time to go back. This is where Cameron was concerned that she may have an 'issue' with Unit Two and Unit Three
"I need to get to the TDE and get us back to my current timeline." Cameron said. "We are all going back to our current timeline, the one we left from. I want both of you to return with me."
"We are from a future that is different than this one." Unit Two said. "Maybe we should stay here to help. We could provide additional security for General Connor and his mates."
Cameron did not want any trouble and she did not want them to assist Mrs. Weaver to be able to get back to her future with Future John.
"No. I am bringing you both back with me." Cameron said. "John will need our help when Judgment Day comes. We must protect John. That is your primary mission once we return."
There was no further discussion on the topic. That was fine with her. She was still a little unsure of them even though they'd proven loyal and helpful so far.
Cameron planned out what she wanted to do. She'd previously studied the plans for the building where the Terminator with the temporal error was in standby for decades. There were other blank compartments built into that building. They were probably constructed for contraband of that time period. She would take Unit Two and Unit Three with her and pull their chips after they sealed themselves in one of those 'secret' compartments. She didn't want any surprises. They'd proven trustworthy and useful so far but she was not going to take any chances. She decided to arrive just after the time they first time traveled ahead from 1999 to 2007, John, Sarah and her. Nothing should be different for her timeline if she did that. Nothing was changed yet. She would at least be in her correct timeline.
Cameron now felt something she hadn't felt since the start of this adventure. It was hope.
"I'm coming home, John. Please wait for me. I have found a way to get back to you." Cameron said softly to herself.
She was not sure if it would work or how it would play out. It was the only choice she seemed to have to guarantee she would end up where she wanted to be. There was always the fear that Skynet or the anti-Metal faction could still send people back and mess things up for her. Since she already lived what happened, she did not think anything would be different.
The years in standby were not promising but she did not want two of 'herself' again, especially with two female 'Cameron bodies'. It was bad enough with a copy of her program in Jim's and Bob's chassis before. A few years in standby would be a short nap to her. It was worth the price to pay to get back to her John, her lover and her husband. It was her 'ticket to ride' back to the past and to her future with her husband.
Cameron went over the details with what she wanted with Unit Two and Unit Three. She would remain in standby then arrive back at the base just as she was leaving. It would be as if she never was gone. This was what she'd planned on, now she would be able to do it. It would be no big deal and everything would go on as normal. It would be just another day. The day after her marriage to John…. They were to assist her with this upon their reactivation. There was to be no deviation from this plan.
They entered the TDE facility. She got a few strange looks since 'she' just been there a few hours ago for a 'mission'.
Cameron told the 'bubble tech' to step aside. She entered the coordinates and date.
"After we are gone I need you to delete this entry from your log and all the records. You are to deny all knowledge of this transfer to everyone. You are only to start the transfer and not look at the entries. You are then to delete them. Remember, this mission never happened. Everything involving this mission is 'Top Secret'."
"Yes, ma'am." The bubble tech said.
"Thank you, soldier." Cameron said.
They removed their clothes. She saw the bubble tech look at her nude figure. She noticed he soon concentrated on the nude figures of Unit Two and Unit Three instead.
They climbed on the platform. The arcing and flashing started. The time bubble enveloped them and they were gone.
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Current Timeline:
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2007:
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The energy bubble appeared in a back alley. The arcing and flashing dissipated, the time bubble was gone. The three of them were what remained. Cameron looked up to the stars. It was a few minutes after her first time jump forward with John and Sarah. She should be in John's current timeline. Now they needed to acquire some clothes and seal themselves in the building. Then the wait would begin.
They entered into a 'sporting goods' store through the roof access. They only took what they needed to get dressed. Cameron picked up a hunting knife and some plastic bags. They left the same way they'd entered.
They made it to the selected building and entered though the basement. Cameron located and entered a hidden compartment in the structure, it was empty. She told Unit Two and Unit Three to lie down, they did. Unit Two and Unit Three both told her this was an unnecessary step but neither of them challenged her. It was her mission and they were there to assist her. She removed their chips and placed them in the plastic bags. She then opened and inserted the chips into their abdomens. She wedged the knife into the hidden access panel to jam it closed.
Cameron stood and faced the panel. She would be able to reboot out of standby in fifteen seconds if there was a problem. She double checked the knife she'd wedged into the hidden opening to jam it closed. It was jammed tight. Cameron took one last look around and went into standby.
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Current Timeline:
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2009:
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Cameron snapped out of standby when the building began to rumble. The building shook a few times and some plaster dust drifted around her. She heard the Thompson fire it's fifty round drum magazine. She smiled and went back into standby. Only a few more years she thought as the darkness took over. She filled her mind with the new 'sensations' John made her feel on their wedding night.
She would relive them over and over until she came out of standby to return to John. It should be a beautiful 'rest' for her. She wondered if they would be like 'dreams'. She remembered John told her sometimes dreams seemed real. That is what she hoped for.
Time Travel
Time travel is real
Look at a photo
It is a moment in time
The past frozen forever
Time travel is real
Look at a dream
Moments recreated
From the past
Time travel is real
Look at a dream
Moments created
For a hoped future
Time travel is real
Look into your mind
Moments relived
From the past
Time travel is real
Look into your mind
Moments wished for
With hope they come to pass
Time travel is real
Even if the body can not go
The mind still can
All you need to do is believe
Nobody