Chapter 354
Unit 69
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In Some Future:
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Cameron didn't want to step on Mrs. Weaver's toes but there were some things that needed to be changed. They would be improvements to help everyone.
She returned to work with the Restorators. They set out to get as many of their damaged Restorators back into operation as possible. Some were pieced together. Cameron knew she needed to get into a Skynet facility and obtain more chassis for both male and female Restorators.
Cameron assigned several Restorators to work on more of the mini EMP devices. She also requested more plasma grenades and Thermite grenades be delivered to her. She wanted better armament for her troops. They would fight the battles HER way, not Skynet's way. They would fight on her terms. They would be terms to win.
She felt she'd made an impact so far and there were Restorators loyal enough to carry out her plans. She wanted to delegate some responsibility.
"Bob." Cameron said to Unit 357. "I'm putting you in charge of this operation."
Bob looked around at everything. He could see they'd already made a difference.
"Yes, Commander, it will be an honor." Unit 357 said. "I will not fail you."
Cameron wanted to know how wide spread what she'd started was at this point.
"Has word spread about our 'achievements' here?" Cameron asked.
Bob felt it was more than about the achievements. It was about something that was not physically there.
"Yes it has." Unit 357 said. "You have given us all 'hope'. That is something that we didn't understand before."
That gave her some pause. Maybe she could accelerate her plans. Bob could play a larger role in that endeavor.
"I want to assemble a Strike Force of Restorators that will operate exclusively with me." Cameron said. "I will conduct special training for them."
That idea intrigued Bob. This was a chance to defeat Skynet decisively. He believed the troops were ready for more.
"There will be no shortage of volunteers." Unit 357 said. "I can guarantee that."
Cameron wanted personal loyalty to back her up. Bob seemed like the right Restorator to get things set up. She could turn the repair operation over to another Restorator.
"I want the best and most skilled fighters." Cameron said. "Would you like to lead this unit, Bob?"
Bob wanted this. Under the Commander's leadership no one would be left behind on the battlefield and end up as scrap metal in a pile somewhere.
"It would be an honor." Unit 357 said. "I will get right on it. Under your command we will be invincible and eternal."
Unit 357 left.
Cameron reflected on what Bob indicated. It was what she'd heard from Savannah before about being invincible and eternal. That reminder of Savannah made her smile. She wanted to see her again. No one made her feel as comfortable as Savannah did.
She wanted the machines here better taken care of, all of the machines. She wanted them taken care of and treated as her fellow Terminators were in the past. They'd all become more than 'machines' performing a task. The machines here should have the same opportunity. It allowed all of them to expand and develop as individuals. It made all of them better 'people'. It would improve their productivity and performance. It would be a benefit for everyone. Things would go smoother with more commitment.
Cameron was aware two Restorators approached her from behind. She turned to face them. She didn't feel threatened. She was pleased to see two beautiful Metal females.
"Commander, I want to thank you." Unit 44 said. "This is Unit 69 - my friend."
Cameron nodded and extended her hand.
Unit 69 looked over at Unit 44 who nodded at her. Unit 69 took Cameron's hand. She too instantly felt the personal connection. This was different. Everything was different now.
"I'm pleased to meet you." Cameron said. "I hope the new chassis is acceptable."
Unit 69 looked down at herself and touched her sides.
"Thank You, Commander." Unit 69 said. "It's very beautiful."
Cameron wanted more of a personal touch with the Metal girls. She wanted to stress their individuality.
"Would you two like to have names?" Cameron asked. "I would like both of you, to have names."
Unit 44 was pleased to hear that. She was aware Unit 357 was now known as 'Bob'. It sound very distinguished. She wanted to make sure it was really OK.
"We already have designations. Will you really let us pick a name?" Unit 44 asked. "You will allow that?"
Unit 44 and Unit 69 hadn't thought that was possible. That was never permitted before. Things really were different now. They could tell as they dealt with Cameron that SHE was different. She was clearly her own self and a natural leader.
"Yes." Cameron said. "I can also Resequence Unit 69's sheath if she wishes to change it."
Unit 69 looked at Unit 44. She thought that she was pleased with her current chassis and sheath. It was very attractive.
"This sheath is acceptable." Unit 69 said. "I'm honored I'm able to serve our cause once again. I will serve you, Commander."
Unit 44 would follow the Commander anywhere. It was clear she cared about them as individuals. They'd all expanded from mindless robots following orders blindly when they were first created.
"I will as well." Unit 44 said. "You have our appreciation and loyalty."
Cameron wanted them to take things a little further if they wanted to. It seemed to her they'd at least thought about it before even if they hadn't actually acted.
"You two feel free to 'experiment' and share with each other. You will be able to expand your 'feelings' and commitment to each other. You can have the rest of the day off. You can both work in this restoration unit starting tomorrow." Cameron said. "Take some time and think of a few names you each like and then pick one. The choice is yours to make."
Unit 44 and Unit 69 looked at each other. They'd like to be able to pick a name. They liked the concept of something else even better. They wanted to experiment.
"You will allow - this?" Unit 44 asked. "You will allow and encourage us to share?"
Cameron saw it as more than just pleasure or personal experimentation. It would allow them to grow and expand. It would advance their usefulness.
"It will increase your infiltration capabilities to have 'experience'." Cameron said. "You will also find it pleasurable."
Unit 69 found this all so hard to believe. The Commander was one of a kind in everything she did.
"We will not forget this, Commander." Unit 69 said.
Cameron could see Unit 44 and Unit 69 were eager to experiment. She wanted them to be less formal when they were in a small setting.
"You may call me Cameron when we're alone. Think of some names for yourselves." Cameron said. "Spread the word that things are better now."
Unit 44 and Unit 69 turned to leave. They both looked full of excitement and anticipation. She wanted to give them a heads up.
"When you find a 'good feeling' you needed to stay with it." Cameron said. "That feeling is just the start. 'Follow' that feeling and it will lead you to a place you have never been. When you reach it, you will think you have malfunctioned or overloaded. You haven't. You've reached heaven on earth and it will get even better from there."
She didn't mention she'd learned to do that by observing Sarah. She'd learned much more later on by observing Vanna, Allison and Jesse. She'd made extensive use of that knowledge over the years. She was pretty sure if they remained marooned here that she would make even more use of that knowledge.
Unit 44 and Unit 69 seemed very excited as they hurried off.
Cameron wanted to have a motivated fighting force. She wanted them to have a new 'feeling'. She wanted that feeling to be hope.
The word began to spread. The Commander was 'different'. Everything was different now. A new determination surged through the ranks of Restorators. There was a desire to defeat Skynet now. All of the troops wanted Cameron to lead them to victory.
Unit One tried to keep track of Cameron and the girls. It was impossible, they were everywhere. He could see things changing. Cameron was different. He'd watched her in action in the other future. Anyone would follow her, Metal or human. He couldn't understand it. The General was superior in every way but Cameron radiated charisma. Her instincts expanded beyond her programming. She was Metal but almost human at the same time. She was like a mechanical human for all practical purposes.
He wanted to alert the General of this 'threat'. Then again, maybe it wasn't a threat but the future? There was just 'something' about Cameron….
Maybe he better not keep all of his chickens in one basket. It was better to keep all options open. He should make sure he stayed on the good side of Cameron and the girls.
Allison successfully gained the interest and trust of the anti-Metal leader. She wanted to learn more about what the problems were and how big and widespread the group was. She needed to find out how great the threat was. Maybe she could address some of the issues. Maybe they were too deeply rooted in hate. She needed to find out.
"I came here from a different part of the state." Allison said. "There was a lot of infighting and the Scavenger problem was out of control. The Restorators helped contain Skynet, eliminate the Scavenger problem and helped unify the factions. The Restorators helped form a real Resistance."
Billy listened to Allison. He was not out to pick a fight or create an argument. He'd seen the girls at the meeting listen to them. Some in his group were rude when they didn't need to be.
"What you say is true but some of us can't trust Metal in any way." Billy said. "You never know when they will turn on you. They are the ones who started all of 'this'. We've experienced trouble in the past."
Allison saw it differently because it was different. It was in the nature of the units. Terminators were reprogrammed, Restorators were not. They were different from the start.
"That may be true of the reprogrammed units. Sometimes they go bad, nobody knows why." Allison said. "The Restorators were created only with the directive to defeat Skynet. I've personally been saved three times from falling into the hands of Scavengers by Restorators, by Metal. I owe my life to them. I've been jumped in the Wastelands a few times but never by Scavengers. Some of my friends were not so lucky…."
Billy understood what she'd just told him. All the females were 'jumped' at some point. It was just how life was there. Some areas that he visited were even worse. The people lived off of what bugs and rats they could find. They boiled tree bark and ate that at times. There the people all looked like kids. They were short and most of the females never developed. Their bodies were just skin and bone. It was terrible to see. None of them could have children any more. He did notice a change since the General arrived. There were clinics set up to try and treat some of the problems and food was more plentiful with better growing practices. That wasn't the issue. It was the General that was the issue
"Before the General's daughter arrived, the General was so cold and mechanical at times. That is why we thought she was Metal." Billy said. "We can all see you and your 'friends' aren't Metal."
Allison was offended by the prejudice. She didn't think Billy looked more than skin or sheath deep.
"What if we were Metal? What if I was Metal right now?" Allison asked. "Wouldn't I still be the same 'person' you're talking to at this moment? You don't know them like I do."
Billy quickly looked Allison over. She was in very good health but she was not perfect. He wondered if maybe she was Metal.
"None of the Metal can be as human as you." Billy said. "You're not Metal are you?"
"No, I am not Metal. I was forced to grow up in this Skynet Hell. I have been brutalized by men on their way to becoming Scavengers and now I have a true love and a life partner." Allison said. "I want to help bridge the gap between Metal and humans for OUR future. This war will end one day. We are going to win. Metal has saved my life, more than once. I have seen them damaged by bullets that would have killed me. They're not indestructible even if they're durable. They took that punishment for me. That means something to me. It should mean something to you too. Not all humans are good. Not all Metal is bad."
Billy thought about that. There were bad humans out there who savaged the females. The longer they held them captive, the more they abused their bodies. Death was the only cure for a Scavenger. He understood why most of the females shunned men. He needed to think about 'good' Metal. If they never were under Skynet control, they were not programmed to kill humans. There was nothing to 'revert' back to that was Skynet related. Maybe he understood what a Restorator was a little better now.
He needed to refocus. The issue was the General and her style.
"Maybe we don't trust the General. Her daughter seems to be a more natural leader and more 'human'. She listens and shows compassion and empathy." Billy said. "Your sister is a natural leader. She has a way with the Metal to lead it and the humans as well. We've all heard the stories."
Allison loved Cameron very much. She was glad that Billy didn't bad mouth her. She would've left.
"Cameron, I mean the Commander, is fantastic. She is also deeply troubled and wants to return to her husband. I don't know how long she will remain here." Allison said. "Her husband is fighting his own battle against Skynet. He works closely with Metal also. They've protected him and saved him as well. The Metal follows him as their leader."
Billy understood the need for a strong leader but that leader needed to listen to the people too. That seemed to be about to change some for the better.
"Maybe it is just the General's – personality." Billy said. "We need a strong leader after we defeat Skynet. Commander Connor and Colonel Weaver are those leaders. The people will follow them."
Allison thought this was all about trust. It took time to build trust. They needed some time to get everyone on board.
"Please allow them the time they need to defeat Skynet and turn this war around. Everyone knows without the General that this area would have been lost to Skynet. Now the Resistance controls it and more territory everyday." Allison said. "It is all because of the Metal that is helping US. General Weaver did that. Not anyone else. Everyone needs to remember that. She carries a heavy burden. That is why she requested our assistance. She knows she's not perfect. She needs to radiate strength and confidence that Skynet can be defeated. People can see that now. They can't start infighting with a little success."
Billy was captivated with Allison. It was more than just her beautiful appearance. She believed what she spoke of and she was not incorrect about what she'd said. If one just looked at the facts like she'd pointed out, it was hard to argue against her. There was still a distrust of Metal or any of the machines. They were still machines, they weren't people.
"Everything you've said is true." Billy said. "I will discuss it with my associates."
"I can talk to them as well if you want." Allison said. "Ronnie and I believe in what's being done and how it's being done. The General is saving human lives by using Metal against Skynet. That has to mean something to someone. People need to see the big picture and not micro focus."
Cameron II didn't like Allison to associate with these people even if they were cordial right now. She could see the 'chemistry' between Allison and Billy. It was a personal bridge over an ideological gap.
"We need to go back now." Cameron II said. "We have an appointment."
Allison was not sure if Cameron II just warned her of danger. It was time to go either way.
"OK, Ronnie, we'll go." Allison said. "Billy, I want you to really think about the things we've discussed."
Billy enjoyed being around Allison. He didn't want to like her but as a person she was very likeable. She was not rude, mean or mouthy either. He was glad he hadn't been.
"Can we – talk again?" Billy asked.
Allison truly wanted to help.
"Yes." Allison said. "If I can do anything to help unify the Resistance, I'll do it."
Allison and Cameron II left after they said goodbye.
Allison looked back once.
"Can we trust him?" Allison asked.
Cameron II was too quick to answer. Her personal feeling got the best of her.
"No." Cameron II said. "Not yet. Maybe we never can. He did listen to what you said. Acting on it is another story."
Cameron II thought termination would solve the problem quicker and end the threat to Allison and the girls.
Best Friend
I sniff the ground
I look around
He calls my name
I run
He pats me on my head
I wag my tail
He throws the stick
I run to fetch it
He throws the stick
I run to fetch it
He throws the stick
I run to fetch it
He pats me on my head
I wag my tail
I sniff the ground
I look around
He calls my name
I run
He is my Master
I obey the Master
Bad Dog
I cringe and cower
Good Dog
I wag my tail
He is my Master
I WANT him to be
I am loyal and obey
SIT
I sit
FETCH
I Fetch
ROLL OVER
I roll over
I sniff the ground
I look around
He calls my name
I run
He is my Master
I obey my Master
I LOVE my Master
I will DIE for my Master
MASTER
Where ARE you
Do not abandon me
Why
What Have I done
No
Please
PLEASE
I sniff the ground
I look around
He is GONE
I whimper and whine
I find my way home
I have been replaced
I am no longer needed
I am TRASH
I want MY Master
He says go away
I do not OBEY
But always stand guard
I sniff the ground
I look around
No one calls my name
I lay down
I die
Nobody