Chapter 353

Special Friend

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In Some Future:

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Cameron continued her work in the Metal restoration unit. It was important to her to return as many Restorators back to active service as possible.

Unit 357 returned later with another Restorator. It was a female. Cameron found her attractive.

"Commander, this is Unit 44." Unit 357 said.

Cameron wanted to see where this was going to go. She smiled at the new arrival and extended her hand.

"I'm pleased to meet you." Cameron said.

Unit 44 was a little hesitant to raise her hand. She'd never done this before. She took the Commander's hand. The physical contact seemed to spark something personal. It allowed her to feel she mattered. A smile developed on her face.

"The honor is mine, Commander." Unit 44 said. "I've heard so much about you. You're becoming a legend among Restorators."

Cameron was mildly flattered. She hadn't done that much yet. She didn't know that Unit 357 told them how hard she'd fought to free the General. She looked at Unit 357 who she'd named - Bob.

"Thank you for bringing her to me, Bob." Cameron said.

Bob thanked Cameron for her time and left the two Metal females alone.

Unit 44 was surprised to hear the Commander address Unit 357 with the 'name' Bob. It sounded very distinguished.

Cameron could tell Unit 44 was apprehensive on how to proceed. She took the initiative.

"We're alone, now." Cameron said. "I understand how our female programming works. It is very beautiful and special. We have different needs and desires as compared to the 'male' units. I too know what 'feelings' are. I know what 'love' is."

Unit 44 was taken aback. She didn't expect the Commander to understand her 'desires' and 'feelings'. She'd wondered if she was the only one, she was glad she wasn't. She hadn't even addressed her concerns yet and the Commander hit right at the root of the 'problem'. This was the type of honesty that impressed her. Unit 357 indicated to her that the Commander was very advanced and exhibited many human traits. He'd told her they made the Commander stronger, not weaker. There was one thing that caught her interest.

"You do?" Unit 44 asked. "I heard you are 'married' to a human."

Cameron was proud of that fact. Now that she was separated from John it made it even more special somehow. She needed to stop Riley and get the girls back home.

"I am and I love human females too." Cameron said. "They love me as well. It is all very beautiful."

Unit 44 looked down. She didn't know how to say what she 'felt'. The Commander was much more dynamic than her.

Cameron could see Unit 44 was very unsure what to do or say. She wanted her to know there were other ways to feel, more than just towards humans.

"I can also love Metal." Cameron said.

Unit 44 lifted her head. That was what she wanted to know. It was what she wanted to hear.

Cameron saw Unit 44 held a chip in her hand. She took her hand with both of hers and held it up and kissed her hand.

"There is nothing wrong with having a 'special friend'." Cameron said. "It is in our programming to 'want'. It helps us to grow and expand as individuals. It drives us to improve ourselves."

Cameron could tell Unit 44 was still upset and deeply troubled. She was having trouble dealing with and expressing her 'feelings'.

"Come with me." Cameron said.

Cameron reached out and took Unit 44 by the hand.

Unit 44 was very surprised by this. It made her feel connected to the Commander.

Cameron took her to the deactivated female chassis she'd captured.

Unit 44 looked at the captured female chassis. It was very beautiful to her. She wanted her 'friend' to exist again. The chassis available was top notch.

"She's beyond beautiful." Unit 44 said.

Cameron was aware she was her program. Unit 44 held the true essence of her friend in her hand.

"I know your 'friend' was as well." Cameron said. "You're holding 'her' in your hand. That's the true beauty."

Unit 44 looked away from the deactivated female chassis and at her hand. She looked at the chip. That was really her friend.

"It is." Unit 44 said. "I saved her. I couldn't leave her behind like she didn't matter. She mattered to me. My 'feelings' made me go back for her chip. I needed to save her."

Cameron reached over and gently lifted Unit 44's chin and looked into her eyes.

"Give your friend back her 'life'." Cameron said. "You have that ability now."

Unit 44 was at a loss to understand the Commander's generosity. Everything about her was different and special.

"You will do this for me?" Unit 44 asked. "Just like that for me or us? I really appreciate this."

Cameron could see that Unit 44 felt like Bob did. They were both personally loyal to her now. They'd never been treated like they mattered before.

"Maybe someday you or your friends can help me." Cameron said. "Sometimes it's nice to have help."

Unit 44 looked at the Commander. She felt more than gratitude and loyalty. She felt something else. She needed to focus. This was about her friend. This was about her 'special friend'. She would be 'alive' again.

"She's so beautiful." Unit 44 said. "Thank you."

Cameron was sure Unit 44 referred to her indirectly. That was OK too.

Unit 44 handed Cameron the chip.

"You will be the one who give life back to you friend." Cameron said.

Cameron handed Unit 44 back the chip. She carefully cut open the scalp. She removed the port cover. She looked at Unit 44.

Unit 44 moved forward. She lined up the chip but hesitated.

Cameron touched her hand to urge her forward.

"Existence or life has much to offer both of you." Cameron said. "Let this be the first day in you new adventure together."

Unit 44 looked at Cameron and then back at the chip as she inserted it. She pout the port cover back on and lowered the flap of scalp sheath back in place.

Cameron squeezed Unit 44's hand. She wanted the Metal girls to have a private moment.

"I'll leave you two alone for now." Cameron said. "You two deserve some privacy. This will be very special to both of you."

Unit 44 was almost speechless at this point. She was overwhelmed with emotions and feeling right now.

"Commander, thank you." Unit 44 said. "Thank YOU."

Cameron left the area. She waited a little longer in the vicinity to make sure everything booted OK. When she heard the two Metal females crying, she left. It touched her deeply as well. She brushed away a single tear.

If only she could get back to John…. John was alone in the past with that 'Bitch Whore' Riley.

Another tear slid down Cameron's cheek. This one was for her.

Cameron knew she could only blame herself for this folly. Then again, if she hadn't SEEN Riley with her own eyes, she would still be trying to accomplish her original mission - termination.

Now the mission was - determination.

The girls wanted to infiltrate some different factions of the Resistance. They wanted to try and see the extent and true nature of the trouble. They discussed the most likely targets to get information from and see how these people really felt.

Jesse didn't like Allison to go where she wasn't comfortable going.

"I'm going with you." Jesse said.

Allison was pleased that Jesse was so determined. She appreciated the support. This was something she needed to do. She was an officer in the Resistance and she needed to do her job.

"Cameron II and I are enough." Allison said. "I think we're good."

Jesse dealt with these types of people before. She was once one of them. They were very violent.

"I don't like it." Jesse said. "These people are dangerous."

Allison saw it differently. The man tried to 'hit' on her. That would keep him off guard if she played it up. Cameron taught her you offer the target what they want to get closer. It made the 'kill' easier.

"The guy hit on me." Allison said. "I have the advantage. I know how to control him. I can make him think there is more being offered than there is."

Cameron II looked at Allison when she said that. It bothered her but she remained silent. Allison 'belonged' to her. That was her prime directive now.

Vanna needed to do a job here too. She needed to identify all the threats to the Resistance leadership. Their safety revolved around it.

"Look, if it feels like something is wrong, Cameron II will step in and terminate them." Vanna said. "We need to work the Gray infiltrator angle as well."

Jesse wasn't proud of her past. Both what was done to her and what she'd done to others troubled her. It also allowed her to better understand of all the groups on the lower end of the human scale.

"OK, I'll work on that." Jesse said. "I can fit in with every 'low life' and 'hater'. I think that's where the Gray will be. That's where they would have started anyway. It would be the easier for a new arrival to blend in with a group or two that like to stay in the shadows."

Jesse felt ashamed of her past and some of the things she'd done. She'd hurt people on purpose before. She'd mutilated them even, both men and women. She'd removed body parts from them as they screamed. They were body parts that would never grow back. She could feel the pain and remorse now inside her. They were alive too when she did it. She could almost hear the screams again. No, not almost. She could still hear them in her mind. She always thought they screamed the most because the body part was gone forever as opposed to the actual physical pain. She'd kept those body parts too.

Allison could see Jesse looked troubled. She touched her cheek and smiled. That act seemed to bring Jesse back from where she was headed.

"That's not you anymore." Allison said.

Jesse looked at Allison and Vanna. The look of love filled her eyes. They helped save her. They gave her a second chance at life. They allowed her to see that love was more powerful than hate.

"No, it's not, thanks to Cameron and both of you." Jesse said. "You all saved me and gave me a new life - A LIFE. Cam will be with me."

Vanna was moved by Jesse's look as well. It was time to get to work. She looked at Cameroon II and Cam.

"Remember to run your full infiltration programming at all times and no scary robot stuff." Vanna said to the two Cameron clones. "We don't want anyone's cover being blown."

Cam thought they were good. Jesse replaced John as her prime directive now. Other than that, she was still 'Cameron'.

"WE are both – Cameron." Cam said. "I think we know how to act and perform."

Vanna worried about their safety.

"Make sure you use your Liquid Metal attributes and give yourself imperfections and continue to mask your ever increasing 'Cameron appearance'." Vanna said. "We want everyone to seem human and look different."

Cammy could tell Vanna was on edge right now.

"They know, Vanna." Cammy said. "We all do. We know you three are worried about us and our safety and Cameron Prime. We understand you worry about your 'mother' as well."

Vanna didn't like this at all but it needed to be done. She believed the human girls would protect the Metal girls just as much as they were protected by them.

"Everyone report back here to me in three hours." Vanna said. "If anything looks wrong, get out. Terminators, I want you do your thing if necessary without hesitation. Jesse and Allison are not to be in danger or threatened. We can try to fix any incidents later. Allison and Jesse must remain safe."

Cammy noticed how upset Vanna was. She wanted the Metal girls to respond if necessary.

"No one is to touch them." Cammy said. "Not in any way, shape or form for any reason."

Cammy looked at Cam and Cameron II. They both nodded. There was a Terminator with each girl that would protect them until the end….

Allison and Cameron II departed as did Jesse and Cam.

Vanna watched them go. Her insides were in a knot.

"Will they be safe?" Vanna asked. "I'm very worried about them. I feel like I'm throwing them to the lions."

Cammy wanted Vanna to understand where they all stood and with who.

"Do you feel safe with Cameron?" Cammy asked.

Vanna managed a faint smile.

"Yes." Vanna said. "Nobody could make me feel safer."

Cammy faced Vanna and looked into her eyes.

"There are four of 'Cameron' right now…." Cammy said. "I'm one of them."

Vanna felt a weigh lifted off of her shoulders. No, it was more than that. The weight was lifted off of her heart and mind as well.

Allison and Cameron II headed for the area where they knew the anti-Metal group associated. It wasn't long before they acquired the target. They tried to move off to the side after making contact. Cameron II moved into a flanking position.

Allison didn't want a direct approach. She wanted the target to come to her.

"Hey." Someone called out to Allison.

Allison stopped and turned. She'd already seen him but pretended like she hadn't. This was how her plan was to start.

The man looked around.

"Your friend isn't with you?" He asked.

Cameron II appeared in the background. She moved closer.

Allison tried to play off the man's fantasies.

"I have lots of friends." Allison said as she looked at Cameron II. "They don't all have to be female."

Allison went over the plan with Cameron II on the way there. It was all part of the 'act'. She didn't want to cause Cameron II any stress.

The man looked at Allison, then at Cameron II and then back to Allison. He moved closer and stuck out his hand.

"I'm Billy." The man said. "I'm pleased to see you again."

Allison looked at him but made no effort to shake his hand. She knew if she played 'hard to get' that it would be more enticing. He would try harder.

"I'm Allison and my girlfriend is – Ronnie." Allison said.

Billy looked at Cameron II. He checked out her face and her figure. She was just as hot as Allison, in her own way. Their bodies were so much alike…. It was as if only their faces were different. Their hair color was identical too.

Allison wanted to make him 'sweat' a little.

"Excuse me, I was going somewhere." Allison said. "It was nice to talk with you."

Allison started to move away.

Billy didn't want to lose this opportunity. He was worried that maybe he'd been too forward before.

"Wait. Do you have a few minutes?" Billy asked. "We can just talk for a spell and learn more about each other."

This was what Allison wanted. He was about to grovel at her feet.

"I can spare a couple of minutes…." Allison said.

Allison winked at Cameron II.

Contact was made and cemented. Allison hooked the fish.

Cameron II knew it was part of the act. It troubled her though. Billy was not the 'creep' they thought earlier. He seemed genuine and sincere. Her assessment was that he posed a real danger to her, not Allison. She would need to warn Allison not to get sucked in by his charm. It was real. He was a different person when he wasn't around his associates.

Jesse and Cam were in the outlying areas of the camp. Everything around them was a dump. There was trash piled up and everything was in disrepair.

Jesse knew these types of people well. She'd 'controlled' many of them in her future. It was her past and she hated it now. She loathed even being around them again. Even the sight of them disgusted her. Now she would need to mix with them again. The people here were almost as bad as Scavengers and Grays.

"These people are one step above Scavengers." Jesse said.

Cam was appalled by what she witnessed and looked at. She wanted Jesse away from there. This area radiated nothing but danger.

"They should all be terminated." Cam said as she looked around the area with contempt. "I will return tonight with Cammy and Cameron II. We will terminate them, all of them. It won't take us long."

Jesse could see the Terminator in Cam come out. She was ready for action. They needed to play it cool for now. They were here to do a job.

"Remember, no scary robot stuff." Jesse said. "We need information."

Cam saw the threat for what it was. She wanted to take some 'action'.

"These people can revert to Scavengers or turn into Grays." Cam said. "They pose a threat to you and the other girls."

Jesse didn't feel threatened even if she felt uneasy.

"That is why you're here, love." Jesse said. "I don't trust any of them. I do know how to 'play' them. It may look and sound ugly to you but I will be the one in control."

Cam knew she needed to trust Jesse.

"I'm ready." Cam said. "I'll back your play."

After a few minutes someone approached them. It wasn't as soon as they thought it would be. That was probably a bad sign.

"Are you new?" Someone asked.

Jesse knew it was 'Showtime'.

"I've been here a few days." Jesse said.

The man moved closer to them.

"My name is Kurt but everyone calls me Snake." The man said.

Cam didn't like the way he looked.

"Nice eye patch." Cam said.

Jesse shot Cam a mean look.

"I'm Jesse. This is my partner – Cam." Jesse said. "What do you do for excitement or entertainment around here?"

Snake looked both Jesse and Cam over. He saw they were both Hot - really HOT. There were no females around there that looked anything like they did. All the females in the camp were emaciated and covered with sores. He decided to get straight to the point of what he wanted.

"Do you party?" Snake asked.

Jesse could see Snake moved fast. She understood his type. He looked for someone receptive but would probably resort to force if that didn't happen. She'd made eunuchs of half a dozen men like him. The proof of that was nailed to the wall in her room. She only counted the ones that lived.

"Not since I hooked up with Cam." Jesse said.

Snake could see he would need to work this a little. Maybe he could lure them deeper into his realm.

"That's too bad." Snake said. "I can still show you around."

Jesse knew she needed to play this out some.

"I got some time to kill…." Jesse said.

Cam thought she found some people to kill.

Mrs. Weaver watched and followed the girls. They possessed the natural ability to blend in and associate in ways she'd been unable to do. She knew Vanna was going to try to help her. As soon as she could get to the past, she was going to bring Young Savannah with her. She was going to take both of her 'daughters' with her. It would be the three of them, in Her Future….

That's if they could ever get there.

Special Friend

Everyone seeks to have a friend
It can be with someone to share
Maybe there'll be a sweet dividend
Hopefully about each other they will care

Things can start out slow
Or they can move very fast
Maybe it's best if they don't know
It's doubtful it can grow or last

There are times to cherish
When someone can touch deep
Everyone wants that to flourish
So each other they may keep

What starts out playful and good
Can began to bend and sour
Few things are understood
One may seek to overpower

True love in the end can win
What is beautiful need not end
Pure honest feeling resides within
When one finds their special friend

Nobody