Chapter 342

I'm Afraid So

Cameron received the call she'd dreaded. It was Holly….

She took the call and burst into tears as soon as she hung up. Allison's pregnancy just terminated. All three girls failed.

Holly hadn't notified Allison yet and asked Cameron to come with Vanna. Holly started to run millions of calculations to prevent from having a melt down. Her left hand started to glitch.

It seemed the more feelings and emotions Holly developed, made them all harder to deal with, rather than easier. She thought it would be the other way around. She really wondered how Cameron was able to function at the level she'd progressed to with her feelings and emotions.

Holly wondered how humans did. It was all so overwhelming.

Cameron went to the lab.

Vanna noticed her face right away. It hit her like a punch in the gut. She'd received plenty of those over the years. It was clear to her what was wrong. She knew right away it was Allison.

"NO!" Vanna said. "Are you sure?"

Cameron still hadn't said anything.

"Yes. I'm afraid so." Cameron said. "Will you please come with me? Allison will need you."

Vanna was already headed for the door. Allison was her beloved even if they were apart right now. She would always go to her.

Bob and John went out to gather some intel. It was based on some cell phone pings in a concentrated area. It was a captured phone from a previous operation. John Henry did the rest.

Cameron's Terminators showed themselves so Bob and John would know they were there. Cameron sent them along as 'backup'. They were the shadow force.

John didn't think they needed any assistance. They were out on a simple recon.

"I see we have four shadows." John said. "That's a real confidence builder."

Bob didn't like it either. It made him feel like he was inadequate. He also didn't wish to make an issue of it and 'cross' Cameron. It was best to go with the flow.

"They're following Cameron's orders." Bob said. "I don't wish to be deactivated."

John shook his head with disgust.

"I'm glad I'm the one in charge." John said sarcastically.

Bob didn't want to make a big deal about it. Sometimes it was nice to have help.

"You know these things can go hot real fast sometimes." Bob said. "We might need some extra muscle."

John wondered if he'd been given all the information. It seemed that Cameron was busy a lot since the last raid.

"What about the anti-Metal faction?" John asked. "I haven't heard anything about them. I don't see Cameron much."

Bob felt Cameron took care of all the variables. It seemed rather straight forward to him.

"She's made it clear there are others to 'take her place'." Bob said. "She's trying to keep everyone safe."

John didn't want to get into the 'others' part of Bob's statement. He decided to move on.

"No one's died recently." John said. "I guess that's a good thing."

It seemed to Bob that Cameron was on top of everything even if she was busy and not able to have as much free time as John thought she should have.

"All of our Metal has been repaired as well." Bob said. "Cameron has kept all her promises."

John wanted a better answer on his earlier question. It seemed as if Bob tried to dodge the issue.

"What about the anti-Metal faction?" John asked again. "I think there's more to that story."

Bob hadn't heard anything new. Then again, Cameron wasn't always quite as forthcoming as she could be.

"I believe that threat has been terminated." Bob said.

John doubted that. He was worried his earlier action or actually inaction may have played a factor in it.

"Was Jesse, the evil one, involved?" John asked.

Bob thought that Cameron was 'soft' on that issue.

"I don't know." Bob said. "If she was, Cameron was going to try to rehabilitate her."

John figured that Cameron may act a little more sinister with Future Jesse if she could take her into custody.

"I don't doubt that. I'm afraid of what else Cameron might try and do with her." John said. "We know Cameron has done 'something' with several female Grays already."

Bob thought that justice was served. The end result was termination.

"Affirmative." Bob said. "They've all been terminated. That I do know."

John was worried about the time lag between their capture and their termination. He was sure Cameron did something unethical and immoral. The Resistance didn't take any prisoners but Cameron's operation did.

"What did she do to them?" John asked. "Did she go Skynet on them?"

Bob wasn't privy to such information. The time lag suggested that some 'experimentation' was done.

"Only her Terminators know and most her Terminators are – HER. Well, her program anyway." Bob said. "She only trusts 'herself'."

John often suspected with Cameron's wild mood swings that there might be some 'hanky panky' going on with some of her female clones.

"Has she ever sent a clone to me in her place?" John asked.

Bob thought John should be able to tell by their performance in bed. It seemed like a very personal setting.

"Can't you tell?" Bob asked. "You share with her or them."

John felt if it was someone 'different' that he'd like to know. That in itself would be a thrill.

"No. I can't." John said. "That's why I'm asking you."

Bob thought about it. He'd been fooled before without knowing anything was different.

"I don't know." Bob said. "If it is a clone, she would be identical. I didn't know Duplicate Cameron wasn't Cameron. They were identical."

John felt defensive on that issue. Cameron was Cameron if she was a Duplicate. That was the result of a TDE malfunction.

"But it WAS Cameron." John said. "It wasn't a clone or a copy of some type."

Bob wasn't sure how to classify everything that could be one way or another. He was worried they were lax in their recon. He concentrated a little more on what they were supposed to do here. Almost right away he noticed something. It looked like bad news.

"John - look." Bob said. "I need to notify Cameron about this."

John saw what Bob pointed at. That was a new development. It wasn't anything good. He didn't want Cameron to get mixed up in this yet until he could find out more. He'd also like to deal with it himself. Cameron didn't need to do everything.

"Not yet." John said. "Let's see where this goes. I won't let her deactivate you."

Bob sure hoped not.

John and Bob both looked at the new development….

Cameron left the base with Vanna, Savannah and Cam. She thought she could go over a few things with them. She couldn't. The ride was mostly in silence.

Savannah could see that everyone was 'down'. She tried her best to help them think about other things and refocus. It seemed to work.

Much of the ride was still in silence. It made it seem like it was much longer than it was.

They exited the freeway and headed for the Young Residence.

Claire heard a car door. She looked out the window.

She saw right away it was Cameron, Vanna, Savannah and another 'Cameron look-alike'. She wasn't sure which one it was yet. She knew there were several.

Claire's heart sank as she noticed the solemn looks on their faces. This wasn't a pleasure visit. It was a 'death procession'. She was afraid she knew what it meant. Her mouth was instantly dry and her stomach knotted.

Claire slowly opened the door. She faced Cameron. Neither one of them spoke for a few seconds. She saw the tears in all of their eyes. It could only mean one thing.

"Allison?" Claire asked as tears filled her eyes.

Claire could see the four women looked like they'd been crying and were about to start again with her question.

Cameron only nodded her head. It was all she could do and keep it together. Words were beyond her right now.

Savannah could see they all needed a little help. It was time to show some strength. She would free up Claire to be with her daughter.

"I'll see Allison later on." Savannah said. "I'll watch Young Allison and Summer for now, Claire. I have this. Go with the girls."

"Thank You." Claire managed to get out.

Cam excused herself and went next door to tell Hanna the bad news and what would be her new assignment. The extra protection was no longer necessary for a few months at least.

Holly was in Allison's room. She was aware the others arrived but she hadn't said anything to Allison yet.

There was a knock at the door.

Holly slowly got up to answer it.

Allison noticed how upset Holly looked and now she seemed to move so slowly. It reminded her of Cameron on the verge of a 'melt down'. She noticed Holly's hand glitched. She hadn't seen that earlier. She wondered if there was something wrong with Holly. She was about to ask her.

The door opened before she could. Allison saw Cameron, Vanna and her mother standing there. Her heart sank.

Allison knew right away. It could only mean one thing.

"NO! Are you sure?" Allison asked. "NO! I wanted this so much."

Holly returned to her and they both started to cry.

The three women entered Allison's room. Cameron closed the door behind them.

Savannah could hear the crying from the other room from inside Summer's room. She decided to take the girls out for a walk. Hanna and Cam followed her on foot as did half the Detail in an SUV. It would be loaded with heavy weapons in case there was a problem.

There was something that was in the back of her mind. Maybe it was in the front of her mind. Maybe it was an issue she'd tried to dodge.

Savannah knew it was time for her to 'step up'. She would talk to Vanna in a few days. Her body was fit and ready. She was ready. She wanted to confirm her viability.

"Cam, can you scan me?" Savannah asked.

Cam and Hanna looked at each other. They knew what Savannah was really asking about. This could only lead to trouble for everyone.

"I don't wish to be deactivated." Cam said.

Savannah didn't like the dodge. She knew the score. It was time they all stepped up too.

"I won't let her." Savannah said. "You're Cameron too - right?"

Cam saw how Savannah was about to 'play' her. She needed to point out the most likely culmination of events going forward.

"I'm an older version." Cam said. "Nothing would please Cameron more than to 'terminate herself' again."

Savannah didn't want dramatics or excuses. She positioned her neck where Cam could scan her easily right now.

Cam reluctantly touched Savannah's neck and frowned.

"I'll notify Cameron…." Cam said.

Savannah smiled at both of them.

Cam and Hanna both frowned even more. This was going to come back on them from someone if not everyone.

Savannah was young but she was healthy and in top shape. She was also ready and willing on about three different levels.

Cam would try to see if she could get Vanna to stop or slow Savannah's 'decision'. She knew in the Third World and the inner city that it wasn't uncommon for females of Savannah's age to have children. Some of them were a grandmother at twenty five years old! She knew it wouldn't go over well with the humans at the base if she were to 'try'.

Cameron hugged Allison close for the longest time.

"I'm sorry for your loss." Cameron softly said.

There wasn't much else to say. It was time for the two long term lovers to console each other alone. Cameron and Claire left the room. They closed the door behind them.

Claire didn't like the pain her daughter was in. She was ready to step up. She'd discussed it with Cameron before. Now it was time to act. She placed Cameron's hand on her neck.

Cameron stiffened slightly. She understood everything in a fraction of a second. Many things would be disrupted. The 'blame' would eventually fall on her.

"No, Claire, not yet." Cameron said. "I don't want to ruin your life."

It wasn't an issue to Claire. She was ready for whatever changes would happen in her life. Things were stagnant and stale now. She was ready to move ahead. Life went forward not backwards.

"It's for Allison." Claire said. "She's my daughter. It's for her. I'll do anything for my children. I can help her. I need to help her."

Claire faced Cameron. She wanted to help. She wanted Cameron to know how far she was willing to go for Allison and Cameron.

"YOU too, Cameron. I'll help you too." Claire said as she looked into Cameron's eyes. "I love you, Cameron. PLEASE let me help her and you."

Cameron felt terrible. She kept hurting people. She tried to help them, not hurt them. Nothing seemed to work out right.

Claire didn't like Cameron's hesitation. She ran her hands down the sides of her body. It reinforced what she'd said verbally.

Cameron knew Claire was only a few years older than Allison and younger than Vanna and Jesse. She didn't see any way forward that wasn't going to be a problem for someone if not everyone.

"Claire. I can't ask you to do this." Cameron said. "I won't. I hurt everyone I touch."

Claire offered her body to Cameron to use in the way she wanted to. She would be with John or use whatever scientific methods Cameron wanted to try.

"It must be done." Claire said. "You tell me what to do and that is how it will be done."

Cameron wanted John protected. Claire offered herself again for however she wanted to use Claire. That was love. She needed to use caution and prudence. She needed to see the overall picture and not focus on just what she wanted.

"We'll try a surrogate procedure first with Allison's genetic material." Cameron said. "If that fails, then we will try it with your genetic material. That would be 'your child' at that point. That's a lot to ponder. Allison needs to try again first."

This whole thing brought up another issue for Cameron. She was worried abut Duplicate Allison. Hopefully the distant future may have better ways to 'help'. River's brother was a skilled physician. She needed to refocus. She would overload if she focused on things that she didn't have any control over.

Claire could see Cameron looked a little lost. It was time to make everything crystal clear to her. She was ready to go all the way.

"I'll do it ANY way you want it done." Claire said. "ANY WAY."

Cameron really wanted that. She wanted the girls to 'listen' to her. It seemed the two that would, were the two that shouldn't. At least not yet. Both Savannah and Claire let her know they were 'ready'. She felt that Claire needed to think about her family.

"It will most likely end your marriage." Cameron said.

Claire stood tall and firm before Cameron. Her resolve was clear.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Claire said.

Cameron was worried that when she could get the things she wanted, that it was always more involved. She was proud of how committed the girls were.

"Apparently." Cameron said. "Some more often than others…."

John and Bob were out gathering information on a recon and came across something John hadn't seen before.

"What is that thing?" John asked. "It looks sort of like a mini tank."

Bob knew it was bad news. It was a deadly piece of Skynet technology.

"It's a ground based HK. It's an HK Track." Bob said. "It's easier to put into production than an HK drone. There are several sizes of them too. The next bigger size can hold an operator, that's an HK Tread."

John looked at the design. He figured it could be fitted with various types of weaponry. He hoped Skynet hadn't developed a 'plasma cannon' in the past – the present. It looked dangerous no matter how it was armed.

"It looks lethal." John said.

Bob thought Cameron should know about this right away.

"They are." Bob said. "This is not a good development. I need for Cameron to review my files and scans on this unit. I believe it is based on designs from her timeline."

John hoped they were ahead of a production line set up to mass produce the HK Tracks. He hoped Bob could tell.

"Does it look like a prototype or a production unit?" John asked.

Bob zoomed in his vision to get detailed scans for Cameron.

"I think a prototype." Bob said. "I can see some parts aren't completely finished."

John wanted a strike on this location as soon as possible. He didn't even know if he wanted to wait for darkness.

"We will need to hit this group hard." John said.

Bob wanted Cameron in on this.

"Skynet will not die." Bob said. "Only Cameron can stop it."

John often felt that was Cameron's end game.

"She can only stop it by becoming it." John said.

Bob nodded.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Bob said.

John dropped his head down in resignation. He held it there for a few seconds. He slowly lifted it back up and looked at Bob.

"Please don't ever tell me that again." John said.

Bob tilted his head slightly.

"Affirmative." Bob said.

I'm Afraid So

Hopes and dreams
Are possessed by all
The higher the hopes
The further one will fall

Things seldom work out as planned
There is always a kink or bend
People tend to fill in the blanks
With fantasy and pretend

True desires die hard
The deeper they're held
It takes a lot of pain
Before they are quelled

Some thoughts just don't quit
They hover around in the mind
There's really no where to go
That's where they remain confined

One asks themselves the question
They really want to know
Is everything like this
I'm afraid so

Nobody