Chapter 358

They Are All Cameron

Cameron decided to check inside the building. Ron went with her. They were gone less than a minute when something new developed.

"I have movement off to the side." Cameron said. "Ron is on it. I'm going in - alone…."

That was the last thing John wanted to hear.

"Damn." John said.

John already allowed Ronny to go to assist them. He told Bob to be ready as well.

It irritated John that Cameron was going in alone. It was what she wanted to do in the first place. Cameron always did what she wanted and got her way. He wondered if she hadn't sent Ron off on a wild goose chase. He knew Cameron was obsessed with taking all the risks. He wasn't sure if it was a death wish or obsessive behavior like some type of malfunction.

"She NEVER listens." John said.

There was another Cameron clone with John. Her sheath was in the process of Resequencing. She was irritated by John's criticism of Cameron. She ran Cameron's program herself. She was 'Cameron' for all practical purposes.

"I'm standing right here." June-Julia-Augusta said. "I'm 'Cameron' too."

John was highly agitated at this point. He was near losing control of his anger.

"Then tell YOURSELF to stop taking unnecessary risks, alone." John almost screamed.

The clone thought John was the problem for not fully comprehending the nature of the future and trusting Cameron.

"Cameron knows what she's doing." June-Julia-Augusta said. "You just need to trust and believe in her more."

John wasn't sold on the idea. He let his personal feelings dictate his response. He was blinded by his own selfish interests.

"Does she?" John asked. "Do you know what it's like to see her shot up?"

The clone was now thoroughly agitated and upset with John. She wondered how Cameron put up with such irrational behavior. As a clone, she knew everything Cameron knew and shared ALL of her experiences.

"Yes. I do." June-Julia-Augusta said. "Cameron knows what it feels like and LOOKS like. She also knows what you would look like shot up or dead. She doesn't wish that on anyone, human or Metal. Nobody knows the damage inflicted better than Cameron does - NOBODY."

John tried to gain some composer. He knew Cameron was durable but she wasn't indestructible. It didn't change the fact she wouldn't listen to him either.

"She's going to get terminated one of these times." John said. "One person can only take so many chances."

She was well aware of what John wanted from Cameron. That was an issue that Cameron tried to address and take care of multiple times. She'd tried to make others 'available' to John.

"There are others to serve your 'personal needs'." June-Julia-Augusta said. "I can as well. I have Cameron's program, her program is her. It's not that hard to comprehend."

John could see the conversation was going nowhere fast. It was the same as arguing with Cameron since it was 'Cameron'. Cameron was down there on her own. That was the issue.

"Enough." John said.

John didn't want to get into it again, especially with combat looming.

The next voice John heard surprised him.

"Look, just drop it for now." Cameron said over the com. "This is going hot soon."

John was further irritated that Cameron listened to his conversation.

"Beautiful." John said. "That's just great…."

Bob was there and remained silent. He'd witness plenty of these 'discussions' to know they all went nowhere. Everything was always the same and nothing every changed.

Derek's team tracked the second big truck. He was afraid they'd been made so they dropped back. There was a drone over him and one on the truck. They didn't want to end up in an ambush. The two drones would follow and watch for any unusual activity.

It wasn't in Derek's nature to 'run' from a fight.

"I don't like backing off." Derek said.

It was Jim's personal job to watch over Derek on this operation.

"It's just for now." Jim said. "I think this is far from over."

It retrospect Derek would have played it less cautious. Things didn't happen by thinking about them.

"We should've hit him right away like Cameron's Terminators did." Derek said.

Jim wanted to remind Derek who 'Cameron's Terminators' were.

"Remember, Cameron's Metal - is Cameron." Jim said.

Derek ran over that concept in his mind. He was uneasy with it.

"That's kind of spooky really." Derek said. "It's hard to imagine."

Jim could see several advantages. One could do more or different things and combine them all back into one program.

"Think of it as being in several places at the same time." Jim said. "It's like being able to help yourself since there were more of you."

Derek felt like there were already enough issues to deal with, especially on a personal level.

"How does she keep it all straight?" Derek asked.

Jim wasn't really sure. There would be different files for the same event like the one that was being conducted now. Each clone would have a different experience.

"I imagine it is with extreme difficulty." Jim said. "It puts her under even more pressure."

They received a warning.

"The truck is stopping." John Henry came over the com.

Derek quickly refocused.

"Why?" Derek asked.

It probably meant trouble.

"It looks like they are trying to unload something." John Henry said.

It sounded like trouble too.

Cameron already knew what was in the truck her two Terminators took down.

"Hit it with the drone, NOW." Cameron said. "I'm afraid of what it might be."

Derek was confused.

"What?" Derek asked. "What is it?"

John agreed with Cameron on this one.

"I don't want to find out." John said. "Hit it."

John Henry was ready to act.

"One missile is away." John Henry said. "The target has been hit. There's still some movement."

"Hit it again." John said.

Cam and Cammy looked each other over. They'd both tried to look perfect. They did.

"We're identical." Cam said.

Cammy was new. Cameron created her special for Savannah.

"No, I'm superior." Cammy said. "I have two chip ports and two power cells."

Cam didn't like that. Cammy was superior.

"Why?" Cam asked. "That makes you superior to Cameron Prime as well."

Cammy smiled. She was aware of that. This was about Savannah, not Cameron.

"Savannah is the future." Cammy said. "Cameron wants to be prepared."

Cam didn't like the inference.

"Are you saying that Vanna is the – past?" Cam asked.

It seemed pretty straightforward to Cammy.

"A female's reproductive ability determines their place in the future." Cammy said. "Savannah will have the edge over any of the girls from the future."

Cam was instantly upset at Cammy's insinuation.

"Vanna needs another chance." Cam said. "Skynet is responsible for her - trouble."

Cammy thought that could be arranged for Vanna to try again. Cameron still hoped for the traditional method of conception. She didn't want to 'push' Savannah yet. Her desire was to keep Savannah for herself as long as possible.

"Vanna will have another chance." Cammy said. "Then Savannah may need to - replace her."

Cam became defensive. The terminology was purposely hurtful.

"I will not allow Vanna to be pushed aside or replaced." Cam said.

Cammy didn't see it as her problem.

"I don't make the rules." Cammy said. "Save it for Cameron."

Sarah heard some harsh words. She went to see what they were about. She was a little surprised to see two of 'Cameron'. She couldn't tell who they were.

"What are you two arguing about?" Sarah asked.

Sarah tried to tell who was who without success. She didn't think either one was Cameron.

Cammy could see Sarah was stumped. She decided to help her out. She also wanted to 'claim' her prize.

"Hello, Sarah, I'm Cammy. I'm Savannah's new friend." Cammy said.

Cammy extended her hand.

Sarah took it. Cammy was firm but not forceful.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Cammy." Sarah said.

Sarah didn't like what was happening on the sexual level but she understood it.

"You both look identical to Cameron, I must say." Sarah said. "Is there some other problem?"

Cammy looked at Cam and frowned. She looked back to Sarah and smiled.

"The future is the issue." Cammy said. "And what should be good news for John."

Sarah just shook her head and moved on. She didn't want to get into it. She turned and looked back. They still both looked like Cameron to her…. Maybe one day she could spend some 'quality time' with one or both of them. No, it was just a thought.

Ron moved to the section of the building where Cameron indicated the movement was spotted. There was nothing there now. Cameron already moved on towards her objective, alone.

Cameron reached an entrance. She was about to enter. She hoped for a better update from the drone on any activity it could detect inside the structure.

"What's happening with anything inside the building?" Cameron asked. "Is there anything new?"

John Henry hit the truck with a drone strike just a few minutes ago. He thought they should do the same thing here. He'd only been able to see movement through a skylight.

"Everyone still appears bunched in one corner. I think they're trying to get something ready." John Henry said. "Maybe we should just hit them with the drone as well."

Cameron hoped to gain control of some more Skynet equipment. She didn't want to destroy all of it.

"No, I want to see what they have or if we can capture it." Cameron said. "Skynet keeps providing us with gifts."

John still didn't want Cameron to enter the building alone. He saw everything Skynet related as a threat.

"Until one turns out to be a Trojan Horse." John said. "Fallback and let's hit it."

Cameron wanted to learn more about what they faced.

"No, we're not hitting it yet." Cameron said. "Ron, what do you have?"

Ron came up empty where he was sent.

"I didn't find anything." Ron said. "There's nothing there."

Cameron decided to make her move before Ron rejoined her.

"I'm entering the structure alone." Cameron said. "Everyone else can hang tight."

Seconds later all communication with Cameron was lost.

John wanted Ron to move up to where Cameron went.

"Ron, we lost contact with Cameron." John said. "Get over there now."

"I'm moving up." Ron said.

Ronny was only about thirty seconds behind Ron.

"I'm going to reinforce Ron." Ronny said. "Wait for me."

"You need to hurry." Ron said. "Cameron may need us."

"I'm almost there." Ronny said.

John was glad there was some help for Cameron. He didn't like her plan to begin with.

"It looks bad, so much for everyone listening to Cameron's orders." John said.

Bob wanted to remind John of the reality of the situation.

"Remember, they ARE all Cameron." Bob said.

Cameron often complained that no one ever listened to her. It now appeared that she didn't even listen to 'herself'. Ron and Ronny were soon ready to act.

Seconds ago:

John and Cameron both wanted the truck hit a second time.

"The second missile is on its way." John Henry said. "The truck has been hit again."

Derek moved his team forward after the first missile strike. He wanted to make sure the target was neutralized. He didn't want any Grays or Terminators to get away.

"We can see where the explosion was." Derek said. "We are still outside the area."

John Henry picked up an additional threat. There were two vehicles closing on where Derek's team and the big truck were at.

"The second drone has identified two vehicles headed for where the truck is." John Henry said.

John needed to worry about Cameron and this. Derek's team was closest to the danger.

"Hit both of them." John said.

John Henry directed the second drone to attack the vehicles.

"It's done." John Henry responded. "There is no sign of movement at the truck or in either the two vehicles or what's left of them."

John's biggest fear was a Terminator waiting there to play possum and then attack whoever arrived that wasn't a Gray.

"Keep an eye on both of them." John said. "I take it the Blackhawk is airborne?"

John Henry could see they needed additional personal to assist Derek's team.

"Yes, it's on the way." John Henry said. "I scrambled them as soon as the drone took over from Derek."

Derek's team could see the smoking debris ahead of them. They dismounted from the SUV and approached on foot.

"We will check the truck to try to see what they were doing." Derek said.

John wanted Derek to hang back.

"Send in a Terminator first and use caution." John said. "Jim, stay with Derek."

Ronny reached Ron's position. They were ready to go in after Cameron.

"Ronny and I are going into the building." Ron said.

"Use caution." John said.

The female Terminator looked behind them and started to move in that direction.

"There's movement behind us." June–Julia-Augusta said. "I'm on it."

Bob was worried about John's safety. There was action on both sides of them now.

"This is getting better by the minute." Bob said.

John Henry reported an additional problem.

"I've lost contact with Ron and Ronny as well." John Henry said.

John turned away from looking behind him to look back at the building.

"Beautiful…." John said.

Savannah wanted to be honest with Vanna. She wanted to be honest with 'herself'. She felt there were a few issues she was responsible for that may have been misinterpreted by others.

"Vanna, I wanted to be with Jesse." Savannah said. "I tried to reach out to her. I 'hit' on her. I touched her."

Vanna was aware what happened in Australia. She didn't think it was a problem even if she didn't want Savannah to 'grow up'.

"You were with Young Jesse." Vanna said. "We were all aware of what happened in Australia. Everyone does it sooner or later."

Savannah didn't feel guilty about what she wanted from Jesse but she did want to own up to her actions.

"I wasn't talking about Young Jesse." Savannah said.

The impact of that statement hit Vanna pretty hard.

"You were with MY Jesse?" Vanna asked.

Savannah saw Vanna start to become enraged.

"It was what I wanted." Savannah said. "I wanted to 'know'. I needed 'more'. I needed - someone."

'THAT BITCH'. Vanna thought. She looked at the closest arm's locker. She was filled with anger.

"She didn't." Vanna said. "I'll KILL her. Cameron will KILL her. I warned her NOT to ever touch you. I'm going to kill her."

Savannah thought Vanna was serious. When she saw Vanna look at the arms locker, she knew she was serious. This was falling apart fast.

"Calm down, Vanna. She didn't ever even touch me once." Savannah said. "She wouldn't. I WANTED her to but she said she just couldn't do it. I all but begged her to take me. She always ran away."

Vanna quickly calmed down. Jesse DID listen to her. That pleased her actually. In her future females of Savannah's age and younger, were Jesse's prey. She'd observed Jesse 'bust' several young girls with her fingers. Jesse said she did it to save them more trouble later on when they were assaulted. Most of the others were already violated. It was a sad but true reality. She remembered how she was savaged once the first man found out she was - untouched. Men came from all over to 'have' her. It went on for three days and nights. She didn't think she'd ever walk again.

She was proud of Jesse right now. She felt bad about wanting to kill her thirty seconds ago.

"It appears Cameron really has made Jesse a better person." Vanna said. "I'm going to thank her for her - restraint."

Savannah felt Cameron helped everyone. She thought that was everyone but herself. She didn't say that out loud.

"Is there anyone Cameron hasn't made a better person?" Savannah asked. "Is there anyone who doesn't love her?"

Vanna exhibited a far away look in her eyes.

"Yes, there's one person who doesn't love her." Vanna said sadly. "Cameron doesn't love herself."

Savannah worked on that issue. She didn't see much improvement.

"How can we ever fix that?" Savannah asked. "We've all tried."

Vanna tried for years to help Cameron.

"I don't know." Vanna said. "I really don't."

Savannah wanted to make one thing clear.

"If I want to be with Jesse going forward, I have that right if she wants the same thing." Savannah said. "I want you to understand that. I'm allowed the same freedom everyone else has now. Everyone needs to respect that."

Vanna sucked in her breath. She was about to snap at Savannah. She remembered that she'd made many choices herself. Before she could speak they were interrupted.

Cammy and Cam returned. Both of their faces were expressionless.

Savannah walked over to Cammy and took her hand.

Vanna was going to say that's 'Cam' and then looked again.

Cammy and Cam switched clothes to try to fool the girls.

Cammy smiled at Savannah.

"There's no fooling you is there?" Cammy asked.

Savannah was always able to tell who each of Cameron's clones were. They were all identical but she just knew.

"No, there's not." Savannah said. "I can always tell any of you apart."

Vanna was fooled. She really thought Cammy was Cam because of the clothes. She wondered how Savannah knew. She looked at Savannah again. She was so proud of her - herself. She didn't like Savannah 'growing up' but as she saw Cammy standing with her, she knew Savannah would never suffer what she'd 'suffered'. That was worth any price to her. She knew Cameron made the right move - again.

Vanna reflected how Savannah and Cammy seemed so much in love. She wished them the best. Loneliness was a killer.

'Addicted To Love' by 'Robert Palmer', crossed Vanna's mind.

Love Me

Time attacks the body
Time erodes the mind
Time warps the soul
Time can mend or blind

Are they still there
Or are they now a stranger
Many things can happen
Many things cause danger

Fear of the unknown
Always so very afraid
Strayed and played
NO - I have prayed

My heart can never understand
How they could no longer care
Pretend I did not exist
When I was always still there

They never needed to wonder
Will she still love me tomorrow
Everything emotional and physical
Was always theirs to borrow

Nobody