Chapter 383

Been Chosen

Cameron was irritated. She wasn't getting results fast enough. There was so much she needed to accomplish. Ally and Summer didn't produce answers quickly enough for her. She wondered if she needed to do EVERYTHING herself. It sure seemed like it. She wanted answers and she wanted them now.

"What have you found?" Cameron asked.

Ally and Summer were unable to turn up any new information.

"There's nothing to find so far." Ally said.

Cameron knew the trail led back to their area.

"Then you need to look harder." Cameron said.

Summer didn't see how that was possible.

"WE are." Summer said. "That's what we're doing."

Cameron was irritated by the slow progress. She didn't need any backtalk.

"Don't become a problem." Cameron said. "I've had it."

Neither Ally nor Summer wanted to ask Cameron as to who or what she referred to. It seemed like a quick way to be deactivated or 'erased'. They both knew Cameron was stressed out and highly agitated.

"We'll keep looking." Ally said.

Summer and Ally left.

John wanted to find the Skynet Terminator that they believed was back in their area. He wanted to find it before Cameron did. He knew something was coming soon from Cameron. It wouldn't be anything good either. He could feel it. He pushed his troops. There were several teams out in the field already searching.

"Has Steve found anything?" John asked.

John Henry didn't have anything new since the last time John asked him.

"No. His team is out searching." John Henry said. "Something will turn up."

John frowned. He hated to ask the same questions. His frustration was what drove him. He didn't want Cameron to try and work around him.

"I want to be there when it does." John said. "I want that female Terminator."

John Henry didn't see the need for John's agitation. Cameron would be the one that dictated the events.

"I wouldn't stress out on it." John Henry said. "If Cameron has made her move, you won't be able to stop her."

It was a deeper issue to John. It was more than just about a captured female Terminator. It was about the future of both of them.

"If I don't, that 'Metal Bitch' is going to end in my bed as 'Cameron'." John said. "I can feel it coming."

John Henry was aware with the clones Cameron already created that something like that could have occurred previously.

"What makes you think that hasn't already happened?" John Henry asked.

With all the crap John went through with Cameron, he thought maybe it did. There were times when she seemed so distant and lost. He felt that when she needed him the most that she wanted him the least.

"Has it?" John asked. "Sometimes I think it has."

Cameron went from hot to cold and from passionate to indifferent at times. It was almost like two or more different 'people' anyway.

John Henry knew that John seemed to have trouble with the concept as to how it actually worked for a cyborg. Their program was who they were. The sheath and chassis were interchangeable. The sheath and program could be duplicated.

"The clones are identical." John Henry said. "With a copy of Cameron's program, they are her."

John clenched his teeth. This conversation reminded him too much of some of the ones that Cameron carried on with him at times.

"No, they would NOT be her." John said. "I don't want to talk about this."

Bob entered the Command Center.

John welcomed the change in pace. He could use a new topic.

"Bob, I want to be able to roll on a moments notice." John said. "Have everything ready. I'm going too."

Bob could see John was serious. There must be a major threat.

"Is there Metal?" Bob asked. "Is it a female Terminator?"

John didn't know for sure but he suspected it was.

"Yes." John said. "There's evidence that indicates that. I don't like the direction that will take things. I'm worried about Cameron."

Bob could see the concern on John's face. This was a serious issue for all of them. He didn't think John could prevent Cameron's plans, nobody could.

"We all feel it too, John." Bob said. "You can't stop her. You already may be too late."

John wasn't about to roll over. He remembered an old saying from a football coach.

"I'm sure going to try." John said. "It's never over, until it's over."

John Henry and Bob both knew it was never over until Cameron 'won'.

"She's driven by forces within her she can't control." Bob said. "Any of us would gladly take her place in whatever she plans."

John watched Bob offer to give up his power cell to blast Duplicate Cameron out of the mine she went into to destroy Skynet before. They'd all volunteered to do the same thing. They needed explosives fast and their power cells were what was quickly available and highly explosive.

"You'd all do it even if it would mean termination?" John asked.

"Yes." Bob and John Henry said at the same time.

Bob knew there was a difference in the programming of the male and female Terminators. The nature of their missions was somewhat different. The job was still termination of the target in the end. He believed John was lucky to be chosen by Cameron for everything they shared.

"We may have different types of programming but we all love Cameron." Bob said. "You're the lucky one. You're the chosen one."

John thought back on their track record. There was a glaring conclusion he could actually make from it. He also needed to remind himself that there was only one person who never gave up on Cameron.

"Sometimes I don't feel like it." John said. "Savannah is the 'Chosen One' to Cameron."

John Henry was sure John didn't recognize his good fortune as much as Cameron didn't understand how loved she was.

"You should always feel like it is you." John Henry said. "There isn't a man, woman or machine that wouldn't want to be you."

John wanted to laugh but didn't. He witnessed the games Cameron played with her clones.

"Now that she's cloning herself, there should be more of her to - spread around." John said. "I don't like that either. She can do whatever she wants that way."

Bob didn't think so. Cameron was very discretionary in what was transferred back to her system from the clones.

"She needs help." Bob said. "She's terminated several copies of herself. She lets whatever happened die with their termination. She doesn't share or know of their experiences."

John saw it was more than the sex. It was about control. The clones did her 'dirty' work and Cameron was the one who controlled all of them. She was the 'Master Puppeteer'.

"She wants control." John said. "She's controlling people that way. It's wrong no matter who wants what."

John Henry wasn't sure of the endgame but he knew how it would end for her clones. He'd watch it happen before.

"Every clone knows that one day Cameron will terminate them." John Henry said. "She will terminate their program and their existence."

John didn't believe that himself. He felt he knew Cameron well enough to know that she would cross any line when she wanted to.

"Are you positive that she doesn't download any information?" John asked.

John Henry question that himself. He'd watched Cameron in the lab work with the chips she'd removed. She copied everything first before the chips were erased.

"No. She saves the 'information' but never downloads it to view or 'experience'." John Henry said. "I've asked her about it."

John could see it all for the losing endeavor that it was. He wanted action.

"Send out more teams." John said. "I want this Skynet Metal terminated, I HATE Skynet."

Bob didn't like to see John this agitated. When he was like this he made mistakes. They all made more mistakes than usual.

"I'll get everything ready for us." Bob said.

John wanted everyone out on this. He would take all the help he could get.

"Search for more targets. Derek and Kyle can lead teams as well for the search." John said. "Make sure they have plenty of Metal."

John Henry could see Derek and Kyle out looking for Metal as the can of worms that it was.

"I need to caution you on the seriousness of this." John Henry said. "A lot can go wrong."

John was all but defeated at this point.

"I know." John said. "I know."

Any of the human Resistance team members getting hurt was the last thing John wanted. Cameron would be angry enough when she found they were out. She was going to be even angrier at him for being out. It didn't matter. He needed to protect Cameron from herself and her irrational actions.

Hanna was upset her experiences wouldn't be allowed to expand. She decided to concentrate on Claire even more. There was a lot of loving to be gleaned from Claire. The more they were together. They more they wanted to be together.

Hanna looked Claire in the eyes and touched her cheek.

"I'm to help you with everything." Hanna said.

Claire touched Hanna's hand on her cheek and faintly smiled.

"I'm pregnant, not paralyzed." Claire said. "This is my third time."

Hanna felt a little bit of a rebuff.

"I want to help." Hanna said. "I care about you."

Claire could see she'd 'hurt' Hanna some. That wasn't her intent.

"I'm sorry." Claire said. "I know you care."

Hanna smiled at her and gave her a hug.

Claire reflected on Hanna's earlier conversation with Vanna and Allison. The subject matter made it quite contentious.

"I've thought about what you said…." Claire said.

Hanna needed to heed Cameron's warning.

"Cameron told me to back off unless Paul makes a move on Vanna or Savannah." Hanna said. "Everyone is safe for now."

Claire was taken aback some with the thought of Paul with Savannah. She was a beautiful young woman now. She found Savannah quite attractive herself as well as Vanna. She thought the other Terminators could make their own decisions.

"Can Cameron control what you do?" Claire asked.

Hanna, like every Terminator, needed to fear Cameron. She was very vindictive when she felt she was crossed or disrespected. They all knew Cameron 'carried' the Resistance on her back alone most of the time.

"No. She can deactivate me later on if I anger her or disobey her. She's terminated several Terminators." Hanna said. "Cameron calls the shots."

Claire remembered Isabel. She was very upset when Isabel was 'gone'. She wondered why Cameron didn't need to follow orders.

"I thought John was supposed to be the General." Claire said.

Hanna smiled. John wasn't Future John, even if he was.

"He is but Cameron is the woman behind the man." Hanna said. "She's in control. She makes it all happen."

Claire heard storied about the future. She wanted to learn as much as she could about it.

"Allison told me about a problem like that. It caused resentment in Cameron's future." Claire said. "People died."

Hanna believed that was more Future John's fault rather than Cameron's fault. Future John seemed to have as much trouble listening to Cameron as John did.

"Yes." Hanna said. "Too many people were upset Metal seemed to be running the fight against Skynet. The human losses were high. Cameron's wants to make sure that never happens again."

Claire wondered why Cameron was sent back if she was so close to Future John.

"Is that why Cameron was sent away?" Claire asked.

Hanna was sure there were a multitude of factors involved. The files that Future John erased left a lot of questions unanswered.

"It may have been to keep both her and Future John from being assassinated." Hanna said.

Claire could see the burden Cameron carried at times. She may be a machine but it all still took its tool. The longer Cameron existed, the more 'human like' her program allowed her to become.

"Is that why she's trying to do everything herself now?" Claire asked. "Is that why she wants the girls in John's bed?"

Hanna saw that for the sore point it was. Cameron's actions were a double edged sword. She did what she did to protect and provide for John. That could only happen at her own expense.

"Yes." Hanna said. "Cameron doesn't want him to be alone or isolated. John must not be perceived to only care about or love Metal."

Claire loved Cameron deeply. She was as infected as everyone else was. She promised her body to Cameron and John by extension. She intended to fulfill that promise. She needed to do it without hurting Cameron if possible.

"Hanna, if Cameron needs me to be in John's bed - I will. I want you to know that upfront. I won't hesitate for a second." Claire said. "I've promised Cameron I will. I intend to keep that promise when needed. I will help protect John for Cameron. I will help protect John for the future. I will yield back to Cameron at any point."

Hanna frowned. That was information she didn't need to hear again. She wanted to remind Claire there were others.

"That is place of your daughter, not your place." Hanna said.

Claire saw it all differently. She seemed like the perfect choice. She was able to have children as well. She would do it for Cameron and the future. As an after thought, she thought for John as well.

"I'm only two years older than Allison." Claire said. "I'm younger than Jesse and Vanna. I'm able and willing to reproduce for Cameron and John."

Hanna could see Claire missed the real point of the 'Natural Order'. The girls from the other future disrupted everything.

"I was talking about Young Allison. I'll take your place in Paul's bed if necessary." Hanna said. "Cameron has chosen you as a backup."

Claire didn't need her daughter to have that burden - laid on her.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Claire said. "Everyone loves Cameron."

Claire knew if she was needed that she would step up. Her daughters could wait their 'turn'. She thought the women could teach the girls a few things.

Vanna was held for years in various Scavenger camps. She was forced to perform every sex act possible with males and even some females. She did what was necessary to survive. She was alive today because she did. Almost every other female she knew was dead. She could sacrifice herself again to help Allison and her family stay together.

"I'll do it." Vanna said. "I'll be with Paul to keep your family intact. I can do what is needed to keep him here."

Allison couldn't believe she'd just heard that. Vanna never wanted to be with a male again unless it was John.

"NO - Vanna." Allison said. "He's my father."

Vanna swallowed hard. Her skin felt cold and clammy now. The bile rose in her throat a little. She took a deep breath. There might not be a gun pushed into the side of her head or a sharp blade on her throat but it was the same thing. She would do what was necessary. She didn't think she could feel any more worthless than she already did but she did now.

"I see him look at me always." Vanna said. "I don't like how he looks at Savannah. He used to look at you like that before he 'knew' you were his daughter."

Allison did know that. It bothered her a great deal. She knew her father 'had sex' with her in his mind many times before he knew she was his daughter. She could feel it. That was her mother's fault.

"You know him and my mother are having problems." Allison said.

Vanna didn't know Cameron canceled Hanna's plan.

"Hanna is going to move in on him." Vanna said. "It would be better for your mother if I did it instead. If Metal gets a hold of him, he's never going back to your mom. Besides I can't get pregnant. I won't have your brother or sister."

Allison wasn't sure when she'd ever heard anything more insane. Vanna couldn't be with her mother, father and her all at the same time, even if not in the same setting. That was just crazy talk.

"Listen to yourself." Allison said. "That's insanity talking. You're MY lover. You can't be my father's and mother's lover as well."

Vanna could see how insane it was. She wasn't the only option.

"It was just a thought to keep him away from Savannah and Metal." Vanna said. "I'll talk to Jesse."

Allison thought that was an even worse idea somehow. She knew the allure and performance of Jesse was next to none.

"NO WAY." Allison said. "THAT is like Metal. You know that. Nobody can say 'No' to her. She is too HOT."

Vanna knew differently. Anyone could be rejected.

"John has." Vanna said. "He's said 'No' to all of us."

Allison didn't think that was a fair comparison.

"That's only because none of us wants to hurt Cameron." Allison said. "You know that. John doesn't want to hurt her either."

Vanna didn't think Allison was being fair to Paul.

"Your father is a person too, Allison." Vanna said. "Don't forget that."

Allison threw her hands up in the air. Everything was a nightmare.

"I know, Vanna. I don't know how to fix any of this." Allison said. "All I know is my mom is going to be having kids for the next few years and my dad is not going to be involved."

Vanna still thought she was the best choice for the 'mission'.

"Will it be Jesse or Hanna?" Vanna asked. "He's gone for good either way."

Allison looked at her long time lover. She just couldn't do that to Vanna. She knew it would slowly kill her.

"I don't know." Allison said. "I just don't know."

The two lovers looked into each other's eyes. They would do anything for the other one - anything.

"Everyone sacrifices for John Connor." Vanna said.

Cameron wanted to act. It was time to contact River and ask for her assistance. The risk of disappearing like the second set of Duplicates did was too great to try on her own.

"Are we ready yet?" Cameron asked.

Sheila needed to operate the TDE. Everything checked out.

"I think so." Sheila said.

Cameron wondered how bad of an idea all of this was. It didn't matter. It was tearing her apart inside. The Duplicates needed her help. They would come for her if she was 'lost'.

"I need to do this." Cameron said.

Sheila wondered how this would play out.

"Will they come?" Sheila asked.

Cameron didn't like to ask for help. She knew she needed it.

"Yes. I want a time bubble from both River and us." Cameron said. "I need their help."

Sheila was ready to start the procedure. They needed to hide their location from John and John Henry. The power usage would give away their position unless they hid their activity.

"OK." Sheila said. "Mask the grid."

Cameron unleashed CamNet into the power grid. Events would happen county wide that mirrored what they were about to do.

"It's done." Cameron said. "Do it."

Sheila powered up Cameron's TDE.

Everything was about to change….

Been Chosen

When one reaches out
Who is it that really picks
Is it the asker or the asked
Assuming there are no tricks

What brings people together
Is it more than luck or fate
What determines how it will go
Whether it will be love or hate

It seems soon enough
That one becomes the other
Feelings may one of them smother
While the other seeks another

It is all based on circumstance
Where two happen to be
That is all there is to it
I think everyone will agree

No one wants the leftovers
Or in time to remain frozen
Everyone wants to be the one
Over others they've been chosen

Nobody