Chapter 201

Identical Marks

The scouting mission worked out well. Everything went according to the plan. Isabel did a perfect job. Cameron looked at her again. Isabel was beautiful. She noticed the interaction between Allison and Isabel. She hadn't intended for that to happen, at least not in this setting. She didn't want it to interfere with the interaction that Allison and Holly already experienced and continued to develop.

Cameron wanted Holly to interact more with Vanna and Allison. It would give them additional protection. It would help protect the future. It would be good for John too. She wanted Holly to expand as a 'woman'. It would increase her infiltration skills. Holly was very shy about such matters. If things worked out, Isabel would be a suitable addition to help protect Allison and Vanna. There was just something about Isabel that bothered her. She wasn't sure what it was….

Cameron felt there were many merits for Isabel and Holly to get closer to Allison and Vanna. It would do them good to have a Metal 'friend'. It would be good for John in the long run and the future. It should add more harmony to the group. It would help improve everyone's life. She hoped it would anyway. It seemed to work out just fine for Jesse and Gail.

It seemed perfectly normal for Cameron to plan people lives for them. She knew what was best for all of them. After all hadn't she already done all this several times? Too bad there was no record of it. It would help her know what to do better each time.

Cameron helped Savannah with her schooling. Her interests expanded in many directions. Her thirst for knowledge was remarkable. Savannah was willing to tackle any subject. It was her desire to please Cameron in every way she could. Savannah excelled in everything.

It was always the bright spot in Cameron's day to interact with Savannah. She was very pleased with Savannah's latest accomplishments.

"Savannah, you're doing outstanding work in your studies." Cameron said.

Savannah tried very hard to please Cameron. She based her life around Cameron. She readily followed the path Cameron laid out for her.

"Thank you, Cameron. I'm trying hard. I want to be able to fix you and my mother in the future. I need to learn how to do that for you and to take care of Young Allison." Savannah said. "You always help me with my studies. You are always here to help me when you are not 'gone'."

Cameron spent a lot of her 'free' time training and educating Savannah personally. She made sure that she had the 'free' time to do that. Savannah was very important to her for many reasons. Her youthful body would become productive in a few years. Cameron wanted what Savannah promised her. She regretted very much not being there for Savannah all the time.

"I am sorry for having to 'leave' sometimes. I'm driven to make mistakes. I can't seem to control myself on occasions." Cameron said. "I do not think I am a good person at times."

Savannah only saw Cameron as perfect. There was no other like her. She tried to please Cameron every way possible. She would do anything for Cameron. She wanted to be older so she could keep all of her promises to Cameron. She intended to do that too.

It's been said that love is blind. It seemed that way for how Savannah felt about Cameron.

"You are always a good person to me. We all make mistakes, Cameron." Savannah said. "Nobody is perfect."

'Nobody is perfect'. If only Savannah knew what she really said with that statement. To EVERYONE, Cameron was perfect. Cameron was - Nobody.

Cameron could never see herself as perfect. In fact she wondered why everyone didn't hate her at this point. She knew Savannah's praise and love was pure and honest. She felt that Savannah was as important to her as John was.

Savannah always gave her what she needed inside. Only Savannah never gave up on her through some of her trials and tribulations. Savannah's love was a love to die for.

"I will always try to help you." Cameron said. "You are special to me."

It pleased Savannah greatly to hear Cameron say that. It made her resolve to please Cameron even stronger. There was one thing that she wanted from Cameron now.

"Cameron, can I 'see' Young Allison?" Savannah asked. "I want to know her now. I don't want to wait until I'm older."

This is what Cameron wanted too. This was the foundation of the future for John and the Resistance. This was the 'Natural Order' trying to establish itself.

"Yes." Cameron said. "It is time you know more about what we are doing and why."

Savannah thought she figured it all out. She still tried to play it cool. She knew what her future was and how it arrived there.

"Cameron, I know a lot." Savannah said. "More than people think…."

Cameron guided and groomed Savannah in the direction she wanted her to go. She made sure she could 'see' her future.

"You are an intelligent girl. No. I mean young woman." Cameron said.

Savannah was very astute. She wanted to see it come together.

"Can we bring Allison with us?" Savannah asked.

"Why?" Cameron asked.

"I want to see them together." Savannah said.

"Why?" Cameron asked.

Cameron already knew where this was headed. It was inevitable.

"Because I get to see myself with Vanna, I want to see Young Allison with Allison." Savannah said. "I want to know it all. I want to have the same things in my future."

Cameron could tell what was coming next. This is what she wanted Savannah to do on her own.

"Is something bothering you?" Cameron asked.

Savannah understood it all or most of it any way.

"No, but I know Vanna is me when I am bigger, older, when I am grown. I know we are the same person." Savannah said. "Vanna is me from the future, a future."

Cameron was very pleased by Savannah asserting herself.

"I knew you would know the truth." Cameron said. "I have always wanted you to know."

It was clear to Savannah that Vanna was 'her'. What she did not know in detail is Vanna never wanted what 'happened' to her to happen to Savannah. She did not want Savannah to know what specifically happened to 'her'. In Vanna's future it had already started by this point in her life. She wanted to protect Savannah from that at any cost. Vanna felt what tainted her would taint Savannah.

"We are the same everywhere on our bodies, every mole and freckle, even our birthmarks. We have identical marks. Look at us. I look more like her everyday. I don't have the scar yet. When do I get that?" Savannah asked. "Vanna is beautiful and she is with Allison. Why aren't they with John? It's what you want for them until I am older and 'ready'."

A look of gloominess came over Cameron.

"I don't know why they aren't, Savannah. I don't know why. Hopefully you will never get the scar." Cameron said pausing. "Actually I do know why they aren't together with John. It is because I'm in the way."

Savannah did not see it that way. It was all a matter of what was necessary and perception.

"You are in the way of what?" Savannah asked. "How are you in the way?"

Cameron looked at Savannah. She was her one real hope in life.

"I'm in the way of the future." Cameron said and started to cry.

Savannah saw Cameron's hand start to glitch. She took it in hers and Cameron's hand stopped malfunctioning instantly.

Cameron and Savannah noticed that immediately. That only ever happened that fast when Savannah took Cameron's hand. Even with Vanna it took a little longer.

There was a connection between them. Savannah did not know what it was to Cameron but she knew what it was to her. It was love. It was emotional love of the purest form. It was not tainted by anything physical. It was all in the heart and the mind. It was pure sweet love.

Savannah tried to soothe Cameron. She talked to her and reassured her she was there for her. She was not afraid to remind her that she was there for 'everything'.

"Cameron, you are not in the way of the future, you are the future." Savannah said. "I promise to keep my promises, Cameron. I promise. I will keep them for YOU and I will keep them for ME."

Cameron did not doubt Savannah at all.

"I know you will. I know you have." Cameron said. "I've seen it."

Savannah knew what Cameron wanted most from her.

"I promise, Cameron. I'll be 'ready' soon." Savannah said. "I will not fail. I promise."

Cameron did know Savannah was more mature but she was still a girl to her, even if her body showed otherwise. She did not want to take that from Savannah. She did not want to steal her youth from her. She was very aware that being a 'woman' left a lot to be desired.

She also knew Savannah would keep her promises to her. Cameron decided when Savannah was 'ready' that she would facilitate 'everything'. The future and John must both be protected. Cameron knew Savannah and Young Allison were the future. As Cameron sacrificed in the past - her future, she knew John would be with both of them one day. It was inevitable. It was the 'Natural Order' of time…. It was what she saw and lived with in the future. It was already predetermined.

It seemed to Cameron that there were 'tides of time'. Certain things seemed to persist and happen in different timelines even. Sure some things could be altered but they seemed to reappear.

Isabel felt there was more to know about herself. She did not care for Cameron's attitude but she did like her appearance. She did not see why Cameron should the one in charge. She seemed somewhat defective to her and certainly corrupted in her programming. She wondered if she could 'fix' Cameron.

Isabel tracked down Holly. She figured Holly would give her a straighter answer than Cameron would. With the programming she received from John Henry, it seemed Cameron lacked ethics and morals to her.

"Tell me more about my past." Isabel said. "I want to know more about myself prior to my current situation."

It seemed pretty straight forward to Holly.

"There is nothing to tell. You were captured and reprogrammed." Holly said. "That is the case of most of the Terminators associated with the Resistance."

Isabel did not like that answer. She thought there was more to it. She was aware that Holly was 'different' than her.

"You were built the way you are. You were not captured and reprogrammed." Isabel said.

That seemed irrelevant to Holly at this juncture.

"That's true but our programming is the same now." Holly said. "We are identical."

That answer was still not good enough for Isabel, she wanted more.

"I want to be closer to John and Cameron." Isabel said. "I want to be like you are."

Holly did not understand what Isabel wanted. She was only recently activated.

"I have been here for years. I do what is necessary, when it is necessary. You will do the same as the situation dictates." Holly said. "That is our function."

"I want more." Isabel said.

"You want more of what?" Holly asked.

Holly knew this would need to be reported to Cameron. Isabel seemed like she was going to be trouble. There was something about her that troubled Holly….

"I want more 'interaction' with humans." Isabel said.

That seemed like about the last thing Isabel needed at this point.

"Why?" Holly said. "They can be very irrational."

"I want more. I can't explain it. I feel driven to seek more." Isabel said.

"You have to have something in mind, more of what?" Holly asked again. "Are you malfunctioning?"

Isabel could not put her finger on it.

"No." Isabel said. "I do not know what I seek."

Holly wanted to address the issues Isabel currently exhibited.

"You will come to the lab with me and I will run a diagnostic on you." Holly said.

Isabel followed her to the lab.

When they entered Allison and Vanna were deep in a kiss. Holly and Isabel inadvertently interrupted them. They stopped, Allison excused herself and left.

Isabel and Allison held a long glance as Allison passed. She said 'hello' and 'goodbye' as she did.

Vanna noted the exchange and was now somewhat irritated.

Holly noted the exchange and was now irritated as well.

"I'm sorry. I just welcomed Allison back from your scouting mission." Vanna said. "I as glad she was safe and you all were safe too."

Isabel stood in front of Vanna.

"I wish to be welcomed back as well." Isabel said. "I am safe."

Isabel stood and waited for Vanna to kiss her.

No wonder she was eyeballing Allison, Vanna thought.

Holly saw this as an escalating problem.

"Isabel is malfunctioning." Holly said.

Isabel reached for Vanna.

"I know I want more." Isabel said.

Vanna took a step back out of reflex.

Holly grabbed Isabel and forcefully stopped her.

"You will not act in that manner." Holly said. "If someone wishes to 'welcome you', you will know."

Vanna told Isabel to sit by the server

Isabel looked somewhat irritated but did as Vanna asked. It would allow her to be closer to Vanna this way.

Vanna plugged both Holly and Isabel into the server.

Vanna started the tests. Holly was there to assist internally if needed.

Now Isabel began to eyeball Vanna. She began to note what was different on Vanna from Allison.

Vanna felt very uncomfortable. Something was not right here. Vanna would speak with Allison and Cameron about this. Isabel appeared to be troublesome and maybe even dangerous. There was something about Isabel that was off….

It made Vanna wondered about some programming or 'experiences' from Isabel-Cameron that may have been left behind on her chip. That would actually explain a lot.

What Am I Going To Do With You

Every threat must be evaluated
What needs to be done next
Is no longer simple as it once was
Leaving me confused and vexed

I know what needs to be done
I know that will cause a conflict
What I know is necessary OR is proper
In my mind both violently contradict

To keep what is justly mine
Someone else must be removed
I understand my essential actions
Will be very highly disapproved

The very action I so desire
Will only make what I quest
Even farther away, perhaps forever
Leaving me even further distressed

Do I do what I want, I agonize
Make do or endlessly eschew
My mind a quagmire of contradiction
What am I going to do with you

Nobody