Chapter 378

Not To Me

XXXXXXXXXXXX

In Some Future:

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Snake and the small group with him were openly armed as they approached the girls.

Jesse and Cam were about to be confronted with weapons. They weren't pointed at them yet but they were in the hands of Snake's group. They could be at any second.

Cam decided she would terminate all of them.

"I knew I should've killed them." Cam said.

Jesse wanted some answers before the group got too close.

"Snake, slow down some right now." Jesse said. "What's with the hardware?"

Snake and his group slowed their approach. He wasn't happy about the recent turn of events. He'd run into a lot of flak as suspicions arose that put him in danger. That was danger more so than he faced already on a daily basis.

"Well hello to you too. Ever since I started asking around about Grays people have been 'edgy'." Snake said. "Now everyone is worried that everyone else is a Gray spy."

Cam decided to wait on the termination. Maybe she could get some answers first. She needed that information so she could terminate all the threats.

"Do you think any of them are?" Cam asked. "What have you discovered?"

Snake took his eyes off of Jesse and focused them on Cam. He checked her out from head to toe. He looked her up and down twice. It was clear he'd just imagined her without clothing.

Jesse noticed Cam stiffen as Snake ogled her.

Cam took a step forward. That was the final insult.

Jesse put her hand on Cam to stop her. She could tell Cam was going to terminate him. She wanted some answers before there were any terminations. She tried to diffuse the situation.

"Look, love, that's no way to look at a lady." Jesse said.

Snake's response only seemed to make things worse.

"I guess in that case I can look at you that way then." Snake said.

The further implication was that Jesse wasn't worthy of being a 'lady' either.

Cam took another step towards Snake with his latest insult directed against Jesse.

Jesse knew she needed to do something before Cam killed all of them.

"Sure, love, give me a kiss." Jesse said. "I'm game."

Snake smiled and moved forward to kiss Jesse. He wasn't about to let this opportunity slip past him.

Jesse tripped him when he came closer. She knocked him to his knees. She drew her knife instantly. It now dug into his throat.

The other men with Snake started to raise their weapons. It was about to go from bad to worse.

"Call off your dogs or you get an ear to ear grin." Jesse said.

In a fraction of second Cam moved in front of Jesse with a pistol in each hand. She covered the three other men. They all stopped the motion to raise their weapons. They were taken by surprise.

"Set your weapons down and no one gets hurt." Cam said. "It's just that simple."

Jesse dug the knife in deeper.

"Call a truce." Jesse said. "Don't make it worse. She'll kill all of you."

Snake could feel what he was sure was blood run down his neck. It was evident that he girls were about to kill him and his associates.

"DO IT." Snake said. "Set everything down. We don't want any problems."

They reluctantly did. They set the weapons on the ground.

"Snake will give them back to you when we leave." Jesse said. "No one needs to get hurt here. We're not here for trouble or to take your things. Now scram. You'll get everything back."

Cam raised both her weapons. She was ready to shoot. The men quickly hurried away. She retrieved the weapons and set them on the ground in front of Snake.

Jesse let Snake stand up after she relieved him of his pistol. She added it to the pile of weapons on the ground.

"We didn't need to do that you know." Jesse said. "We only came to talk, not to get hurt or to hurt anyone. We're all on the same side I hope."

Cam pointed one of her pistols at Snake's head.

"Let me kill him." Cam said. "I didn't like how he looked at me."

Snake saw death in her eyes. She wasn't fooling around. She was about to kill him.

"No. Wait." Snake said. "I have some information."

Cam lowered her pistol slightly.

"Spill it." Jesse said. "Or I'll walk away and leave you with her."

Cam started to raise her pistol again.

"Easy." Snake said.

Snake became talkative real fast. He filled them in on everything he'd found out. None of the people he associated with were Grays. They all believed like him that if Skynet needed people, they would use the Grays and not think twice about it. The 'free ride' would probably only last so long.

"The people around here have no influence or say in anything. They're all just trying to get by." Snake said. "I think the place to look is the anti-Metal faction. That's where any talk I have ever heard leads. Can you think of a better place for a Gray spy to hide than in an anti-Metal faction?"

Jesse thought about that for a short time. The anti-Metal faction was always vocal and tried to gain as much influence as was possible with the Resistance leadership. Someone who worked for Skynet or Metal could denounce it on a daily basis. It did look like good cover.

"I think he's onto something." Jesse said. "Let him go."

Cam's weapons disappeared as fast as they'd appeared. She retrieved the four weapons from the ground. She handed Snake's pistol to Jesse.

Jesse looked the weapon and handed it back to Snake as she looked him in the eye. She didn't know how far he could be trusted. She didn't think it was far but she did think there was some trust.

"That wasn't what I wanted or intended to happen." Jesse said. "We wanted a friendly chat, not a fight."

Snake wanted to justify his actions. He was the one in danger.

"Everyone is on edge now." Snake said. "You can't trust anyone and no one is safe."

Jesse wanted Snake to make amends with Cam. If he didn't she was sure Cam would come back tonight and kill him.

"You owe the lady here an apology." Jesse said as she indicated Cam. "She's a good girl."

Snake could see these two females were a different 'class' of people. He should have stepped up to them and acknowledged that instead of trying to knock them down.

"I'm sorry I disrespected you earlier. It won't happen again." Snake said. "I apologize to both of you. I promise to make this up to you. I didn't want trouble either. I was worried about my safety. I should have been concerned for yours as well."

Cam looked at Jesse who nodded.

"I'll give you another chance." Cam said. "I'd rather make friends than enemies. Dead people are of no use…."

Snake tucked his pistol away. Cam gave Snake back the other three weapons. He tucked all of those away too.

Jesse wanted to make a few things clear and also make sure the other men were given their weapons back.

"Please make sure your friends get their personal weapons back." Jesse said. "We want to do things differently here and around this base. Give us a chance to work on some things. I'd appreciate if you would work with us. This can all be better than it is."

Jesse waved her hand to indicate the 'bad part of town'.

Snake wanted to hear more. He also needed to keep a few 'friends' to help watch his back.

"I will." Snake said.

Jesse wanted to be as honest as she could right now.

"Look, Snake, we're two females and here alone." Jesse said. "We need to be careful and be protected too. We don't want anyone going 'Scavenger' on us. I've been in places like this before. No one needs to stay here forever. I know. I don't want any hard feelings. You seem like a decent bloke."

They parted ways.

"I apologize again." Snake said.

Jesse and Snake both each eyed the other as they separated.

Cam watched them depart after Snake rejoined his compatriots. He gave them back their weapons. The other three men waved at them as they left.

"I will return tonight and terminate all of them." Cam said. "I like them even less now that they threatened you."

Jesse touched Cam's arm. It wasn't time yet.

"No, I think Snake will still have some usefulness." Jesse said.

Cam looked away from Jesse back to where the four men left from. She was still irritated about being ogled.

"He will be useful for what?" Cam asked. "I don't like the way he looked at you or ME."

Jesse didn't like the looks either. She was usually assaulted after any look like that. It happened plenty of time when she was younger. There also seemed to be more in play here than they could see. It was worth further investigation.

"I don't know yet." Jesse said. "I just feel it."

Cam took the anti-Metal warning seriously. She knew where Allison was headed today.

"I must go warn Allison and Cameron II." Cam said. "Let me get you back to Vanna and Cammy first. I need to know you're safe."

Jesse understood the threat for what it was. They didn't have any extra time to waste if Allison was in danger.

"Sorry, love." Jesse said. "I'm coming with you. You know I love Allison too."

Cam and Jesse headed for where Allison went. They hurried as fast as Jesse could go. Jesse told Cam to go ahead and get to Allison. Cam reminded her Mrs. Weaver was with them. They both knew if anyone threatened Allison, there would be a blood bath. It wouldn't be any of their blood either.

Allison and Cameron II met with one of the leaders of the anti-Metal faction. Mrs. Weaver was there too as 'JH' a German Sheppard dog. They all needed to remember they were dealing with one individual now and not the entire group, even if he was their representative. It was clear he was sweet on Allison.

Cameron II didn't like the situation. Something was off. She was on highest alert. This wasn't the meeting she'd expected and everything seemed a like a 'show' to her. She knew she could handle any situation but she needed to worry about Allison's safety. Mrs. Weaver as JH was an asset in this current situation.

She knew she should have come alone and posed as Allison. That was her original intent. Cameron was going to be upset at her if things went bad. True, she was 'Cameron' also, a Cameron clone, but each day apart and her ever increasing 'experiences' with Allison made her a separate Terminator.

Billy led them off to a different area. They were even more secluded now. Cameron II looked around. It was quiet. Maybe now was the time to strike and terminate this person that hated her because she was 'different'. She was hated because she was Metal. They didn't even know her.

She couldn't understand these people not being able to differentiate between Skynet Terminators and the Resistance Restorators. One group helped them and kept them from being eradicated.

"I've spoken with some of the others." Billy said. "None of them like any kind of Metal."

Cameron II was further offended by that statement. It wasn't based on the actual situation.

"And without the Restorators fighting Skynet right now, where would you be?" Cameron II asked.

Billy didn't say anything at first.

Allison didn't like the delay to his answer. She decided to answer for him.

"They'd all be dead or in a Skynet work camp." Allison chimed in. "Some would be living as Scavengers."

Billy was aware that was a correct assessment for most of them. There was more to it than that.

"That may be true." Billy said. "But it was the machines that brought this on us. It was the machines that attacked humans."

Allison wasn't sure why he couldn't see the difference.

"I think we can work together and in harmony with the ones helping us." Allison said. "I know they're not all bad. Not all people are good either, look at the Grays and Scavengers. Is that how humanity should be judged?"

A small mouse ran from the area Billy was at earlier. JH lunged over and grabbed it. He seemed to swallow in an instant. It was actually a 'part' of Mrs. Weaver like the 'eel' in her office was. It was sent out to gather intelligence. It must have hit 'pay dirt'.

JH wagged his tail and ran to Allison.

JH moved up close to Allison. He jumped up on her and licked her face and ear.

"Leave NOW." Allison heard in her ear.

Cameron II heard it as well. She knew there must be a new threat. It was time to fallback. The threat was unknown.

"We need to go." Cameron II said. "I don't feel good."

Allison looked for a threat but didn't' see it yet. That was probably a bad thing. They must be in an ambush that hadn't been sprung yet.

"OK." Allison said. "You don't look so hot. Let me help you."

Bill didn't know what just happened. He was there in good faith.

"But you just got here." Billy said. "We're not done talking."

Cameron II wanted to use her chassis as a shield in front of Allison and Mrs. Weave as one behind them.

"Follow behind me." Cameron II whispered to Allison. "JH will tag along behind us."

Allison understood Cameron II planned to use herself to protect her. She wasn't sure what the nature of this threat was.

"We can talk again some other time." Allison said. "I need to get her back before she gets worse. She's been sick recently. I'm sorry."

Cameron II didn't know what the threat was either but Mrs. Weaver indicated it was imminent.

"We need to hurry." Cameron II whispered.

JH started to growl. It was the warning for them to move faster.

Everything changed in an instant.

Cameron boldly strode into the area. She didn't look happy.

"I've been looking for you two." Cameron said.

Billy thought Allison was beautiful. Now here was someone who not only looked like her but ten times better. He was spellbound.

"Is that your sister?" Billy asked.

He hurried along after them.

Allison followed Cam.

"Yes." Allison said. "We need to go."

Two more players entered the 'field.

"Allison!" It was Jesse and Cam.

Both Cam and Cameron II used their altered appearance to look like their former sheaths when they were in public.

Allison wanted to get Jesse away from the threat too. With Cam and Cameron II there along with Cameron and Mrs. Weaver she felt a little more confidant.

"Jesse, come with me. We need to leave now." Allison said. "Ronnie is sick…."

Jesse and Cam understood the threat.

Cameron assessed the situation. She felt the girls were protected. There should be more assistance on the way.

"You four go on back." Cameron said. "JH and I will finish up here."

Cameron stopped and JH stood at her side. A low growl cut the silence.

Billy looked at the dog. It looked even bigger and even meaner now. He was sure the dog could kill him in seconds.

Cameron knelt down and JH licked her face. She received all of the information that Mrs. Weaver knew or uncovered so far.

Cameron stood and faced Billy.

"Well?" Cameron asked.

Billy still looked in the direction where Allison and her hot Asian friend went.

"Well what?" Billy asked confused.

Cameron was aware this was an ambush of some type.

"You wanted me, us." Cameron said. "We're here. I'm here and alone."

Billy looked around, nothing happened. He looked scared….

He was alone.

Unit 44 and Unit 69, Ginger and Sandy, met Jesse and Allison seconds after they left Cameron and Mrs. Weaver behind. They were heavily armed.

"Commander Connor said we are to look after you two." Ginger said. "She was afraid there was going to be a problem. We work with Commander Connor - Cameron in the restoration unit."

Cameron kept her clones updated on her activities with the 'Special Unit' and restoration unit.

Cameron II was very unhappy about the unknown threat. She wanted some resolution.

"Take them to Cammy at once." Cameron II said. "I'm going back to help Cameron. Cam you stay with them too."

Cameron II and Allison quickly switched shirts. The Liquid Metal on her face changed to allow Cameron II to look identical to Allison.

Sandy handed Cameron II a plasma rifle.

Ginger and Sandy were no strangers to combat.

"We can go with you." Sandy said.

Cameron II wanted the girls protected. There were three Restorators with them.

"No." Cameron II said. "Stay with the girls and take them to back to Cammy. This is personal…."

Allison knew Cameron II wanted to settle the score since she'd been in danger.

"Be careful - Cameron." Allison called.

Cameron II turned to hurry back to where Cameron was at.

"It's Cameron II." Cameron II said as she looked back over her shoulder as she departed.

Allison blew her a kiss.

"Not to me…." Allison whispered.

Allison was worried about Cameron and Cameron II. She was even worried about Mrs. Weaver. She'd witnessed all of them in action, that wasn't the problem. She just didn't want any of them to be damaged or hurt. She knew the other side was going to come out on the losing end of whatever happened.

Not To Me

A person hears what they want to hear
It matters little if it is true or not
Their mind is closed and already made up
To try to change that is all for naught

A person sees what they want to see
For they are blinded by love
They can't even feel the push
When they are given a shove

A person thinks what they want to think
Fact and reason seem to mean little
As honesty and reality catch up to them
Away at their soul the truth will slowly whittle

A person can be what they want them to be
Even if they do things which one can't agree
Maybe it all comes down to a matter of degree
When it should matter we say - not to me

Nobody